The bulk of this week’s snowstorm is over, but more might be coming. Two storm systems are expected to reach McHenry County on Friday and Sunday, dumping a total of between 3 to 5 inches more snow on the area.
An average of 7 to 9 inches accumulated from Tuesday’s local snowfall.
An inch more is expected before 6 a.m. today, when the National Weather Service planned to call off the winter storm warning.
This morning’s commute shouldn’t be as rough, although wind gusts of 25 mph to 30 mph could cause some driving hazards.
Dozens of vehicles were involved in non-serious crashes on slick roads Tuesday night.
“The only problems will be in exposed areas on east-west roads, with blowing and drifting of snow,” said meteorologist Paul Merzlock with the National Weather Service. “For the most part, the falling snow won’t be a factor anymore.”
As of Tuesday evening, Bull Valley had received about 6.7 inches of snowfall. In Island Lake, at least 7.5 inches fell.
As much as 11.5 inches accumulated in parts of neighboring Lake County, Merzlock said.
A high temperature of 23 degrees and a low of 8 degrees is expected for today, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Thursday.
A new storm might bring an inch of light snowfall to the area on Friday afternoon or evening, with a second system developing by Sunday, Valentine’s Day. Merzlock predicted a maximum of 2 to 4 inches of precipitation during that storm.
“Neither one of those look anywhere near as significant as [Tuesday’s],” Merzlock added.
No schools were reported closed for today as of late Tuesday evening.
Faith Lutheran High School in Crystal Lake and St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Algonquin were closed Tuesday. A few after-school activities and government board meetings also had been canceled.
Metra commuters traveling to McHenry County Tuesday night saw a 45-minute delay as a Crystal-Lake bound train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line struck a vehicle about 8:10 p.m. at River Road at the Des Plaines station. It had left downtown Chicago about 7:30 p.m. and originally was due to arrive in Crystal Lake at 8:55 p.m.
An unnamed woman riding in the vehicle died, and another person traveling with her was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with unknown injuries.
Metra spokesman Michael Gillis did not have further details about the crash or those involved Tuesday night.
“I don’t know why the car was on the tracks,” Gillis said. “I don’t know if it’s weather-related.”
By AMBER KROSEL, [email protected]
Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.