DOWNTOWN — Parts of the city could see 5 to 10 inches of snow after a storm hits Monday night, the National Weather Service is predicting.
A lake effect snow warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Lake effect snow bands can drop heavy snow on some parts of the city — possibly more than 2 inches per hour, the National Weather Service warned — but how much falls "can vary drastically over relatively short distances."
That means portions of the city are expected to see 5 to 10 inches of snow when a storm kicks off Monday night, said Amy Seeley, a National Weather Service meteorologist. The city will face temperatures that only hit the mid-20s and gusty winds Tuesday.
RELATED: Shovel Your Sidewalk By 10 P.M. Or Risk A $500 Fine
The lake effect snow could make "travel very hazardous or impossible," according to the National Weather Service's warning.
"Visibilities vary greatly and can drop to zero within minutes," the National Weather Service warned. "Travel is strongly discouraged. Commerce could be severely impacted. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency."
The city's Department of Streets and Sanitation has had more than 280 plows out clearing the streets since snow started falling Sunday night.
Not a mirage. Streets & San hard at work and always ready to handle the ❄️. Drive safe! https://t.co/lSzvP0nC1K
— StreetsandSan (@StreetsandSan) March 13, 2017
More than 500 flights have been canceled at O'Hare and Midway airports because of the snow that started Sunday. That storm was expected to drop up to 5 inches on parts of the city before the snow that will hit Monday night, said Charles Mott, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
RELATED: The History of 'Dibs': Did it Begin in Chicago?
O'Hare had gotten 2.2 inches of snow by 7 a.m. Monday, Mott said, while Midway had 1.6 inches. Temperatures were expected to stick around the low 30s on Monday.
