Winter storm Illinois: Lake effect snow expected late Sunday into Monday morning as Chicago Public Schools resumes classes

CHICAGO (WLS) — As students wrap up a two-week vacation, snow could welcome them back into the classroom.

There is an AccuWeather Alert as the snow effect on the lake began Sunday night as a winter storm moves past the south Chicago area, ABC7 meteorologist Cheryl Scott said.

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ABC7 meteorologist Jaisol Martinez said Sunday will be cold with highs in the 20s.

Most of Cook and Lake County in Illinois will see one to two inches of snow overnight Monday.

WEATHER WARNINGS | Winter weather advisories are in effect for some counties

If lake-effect snow bands stay in one place for several hours, some places could get two to five inches of snow, Martinez said.

While it’s not much, Martinez and Scott warned it could affect the Monday morning commute with slick road conditions.

FULL FORECAST | See the 7-day weather forecast for Chicago

Winter weather is arriving as Chicago Public School students prepare to return to classes on Monday.

The weather also caused problems for some South Shore residents Sunday night. Crews worked on a power outage for hours while a heating bus sat out front after some residents were forced outside in the grip of winter.

“It’s inconvenient because we want to get in,” resident Trachon Carson. “It’s cold out here.”

Emergency crews’ lights reflected off the dark windows of the two affected South Shore high-rises.

“Our lights are out, so we can’t even get in,” Carson said. “We have groceries. We can’t get upstairs to our accommodation.”

A power outage in the area, according to ComEd, plunged at least 183 customers into darkness and cold temperatures.

“I was working on my non-profit organization,” resident Shanette Coleman said. “We had a Zoom meeting and the lights just went completely out. No heat. Nothing. No electricity. There’s no way to have any kind of services.”

It includes working elevators.

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“We have individuals living in these buildings who have accessibility needs and they are not able to meet those needs,” Coleman said. “And I’m afraid to go up my stairs alone, and it’s pitch dark in the hallway.”

Authorities said the outage happened just after 4 p.m. Sunday at the two buildings near 73rd and South Shore Drive.

A city bus was parked out front so people could warm up just as the snow effect loomed over the coming hours.

“It’s extremely cold here, and when you live on the lakeshore and by the lakeshore, the temperatures in this area are actually at least 12 degrees cooler,” Coleman said.

At last check, ComEd said power should be restored by 6 p.m. 11:15 p.m. Sunday, and what caused the power outage is still under investigation.

“These conditions are not acceptable,” Carson said. “Like I said, paying that kind of money, it’s not cool.” 19:16

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