Dec. 28--Freezing rain, high winds and possible flooding will combine for a miserable, blustery weather Monday, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a winter storm warning for the Chicago area.
"It's going to be a really nasty day,'' meteorologist Ricky Castro said.
The storm warning includes freezing rain and sleet and which initially was in effect until 3 p.m., has been extended until 6 p.m. for freezing rain and sleet, strong winds likely gusting to 50 mph, officials said.
The main area of ice accumulation is going to be away from the lakefront, said Castro, who added that temperatures as of 8 a.m. were 34 degrees at Midway Airport and Northerly Island and 31 at O'Hare and Palwaukee airports.
The areas that could suffer the most are the north and northwest portions of Illinois, an area that encompasses Cook and DuPage counties, Castro said.
"Midway is reporting some freezing rain,'' said Castro, who added that snow is still not in the forecast but gusty weather is.
"Winds are already quite strong, but high winds will kick in about 1 p.m. today on the lakeshore."
The freezing rain causes problems when it coats trees and power lines, causing power outages, he added.
In addition to the sleet, a high wind warning is in effect from 1 to 7 p.m. for sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, gusting up to 60 mph along the lakeshore.
Waves could reach 20 feet, so it will be a good idea to avoid the bike paths along northern Lake Shore Drive because of "possibly significant'' lakeshore flooding, Castro said.
The lakeshore flood warning remains until midnight.
As of 10:35 a.m., delays at O'Hare International Airport range from 15 to 45 minutes for inbound and outbound flights, according to the city's department of aviation. Additionally, airlines at O'Hare have canceled more than 320 flights.
Airlines at Midway Airport have canceled more than 85 flights, according to the department.
