Trick-or-treat and watch out for sleet: Chicago’s first snowfall could cause slippery roads

Scattered snow showers and sharp winds are expected throughout the afternoon that could reduce visibility.

By Cindy Hernandez

A man uses his hood to shield his face from snow as he walks along State St. in The Loop, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — A man uses his hood to shield his face Tuesday from snow as he walks along State Street in the Loop.

Chicago and surrounding areas saw the first snowfall of the season on Halloween.

Dustings of snow were seen during the morning commute Tuesday with scattered snow showers expected the rest of the day.

“The snow showers and sharp winds in the afternoon could reduce visibility but the sun will still pop up here and there,” said David King, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

Roads and sidewalks could become slick as freezing temperatures are expected through the night and into Wednesday morning.

Temperatures are expected to drop to the mid-20s overnight then gradually increase throughout the week — reaching the upper 50s by the weekend.

“Lake-effect snow will stick south of Lake Michigan and the city should start drying out by 10 p.m. tonight,” King said.

The normal high temperature on Halloween is 56 degrees, and the low is 41 degrees, according to the weather service. The warmest Halloween was 84 degrees in 1950.

The snowiest Halloween was in 2019 when the area got 3.4 inches of snow.

A woman crosses Randolph St. using an umbrella to shield herself from the snow, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — A woman uses an umbrella to shield herself from snow Tuesday as she crosses Randolph Street in the Loop.

A woman squints her eyes to protect them from the snow as she runs across the street at Washington St. in The Loop, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — Chicago got its first snow of the season Tuesday.

A couple uses an umbrella to shield themselves from snow as the walk along State St. in The Loop, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — The Chicago area received its first snow of the season on Tuesday.

A group of people cross State St. in The Loop, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — Cold, blustery, snowy weather covered the Chicago area on Tuesday.

Heavy snow falls and covers a child playground on halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — Snow showers were reported throughout the Chicago area on Tuesday.

Heavy snowfall covers the area on halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — Snow showers and flurries were reported throughout the Chicago area on Tuesday.

Heavy snow fall blankets the streets on halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. — Snowflakes filled the air Tuesday around Chicago.

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