‘Ice storm’ to move through Chicago area Tuesday evening: weather service

Ice covers the Lake Michigan shoreline on January 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Businesses and schools have closed, Amtrak has suspended service into the city, more than a thousand flights have been cancelled and mail delivery has been suspended as the city copes with record-setting low temperatures. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

An ice storm is expected to move through the Chicago area Tuesday evening, threatening to drop over a quarter-inch of ice and make travel nearly impossible on untreated surfaces.

Ice could total one-tenth to four-tenths of an inch, the National Weather Service said in an Ice Storm Warning. The highest amounts of ice are expected north of Interstate 55. The warning lasts from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Freezing rain will likely start after the evening commute at 8 p.m., the weather service said. Some snow and sleet may mix with the freezing rain early in the evening.

The weather service strongly discouraged traveling during the storm. The falling ice could snap power lines and bring down tree branches.

True ice storms are uncommon in this part of the county, the weather service said on Facebook. The last time Chicago was issued an ice storm warning was December 2009.

Freezing rain and sleet are in the forecast for Tuesday night. Ever wonder what causes sleet & freezing rain when temp outside is below 32? pic.twitter.com/PoFkUGzfYm

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 5, 2019