Double Trouble: 5 to 10 Inches of Snow, Dangerously Cold

With a winter storm warning predicting 5 to 10 inches of snow and dangerously cold wind chills Sunday through Tuesday morning, it should be no surprise that the city of Wheaton is asking residents’ help — and advising them to be careful.

The National Weather Service on Saturday issued a winter storm warning until 6 p.m. Sunday with a forecast of 5 to 10 inches of snow in Kane and DuPage counties. Complicating already hazardous  travel conditions will be 20- to 30-mph winds causing “considerable blowing and drifting snow,” as well as reduced visibility on roadways, mainly on Sunday afternoon and evening.

As if that’s not enough, the National Weather Service cited those same winds, combined with bitter cold temperatures, for issuing a wind chill warning through noon Tuesday for dangerously cold weather. Prolonged wind chills of 30 below zero are forecast.

The most extreme wind chills, the National Weather Service said, will be between late Sunday and Monday afternoon, when the wind will combine with the bitter cold to make temperatures feel as low as -40 to -50 degrees.

On its website on Friday, the city asked Wheaton residents to cooperate with city efforts to clear the streets, to check on elderly or infirm neighbors, and to take precautions to keep themselves safe.

Specifically, residents are asked not to park on the streets during and after the snowfall. That will help Public Works crews clear the streets of snow as quickly as possible. The website post notes the City Code prohibits parking on streets for 24 hours or until streets are cleared whenever there is a snowfall of 2 inches or more.

Both the Wheaton Fire Department and Public Works Department ask you to keep fire hydrants clear of snow so firefighters can find and access them quickly in the event of an emergency. Plowing services are asked not to bury hydrants with snow.

Police ask drivers that, as street conditions improve and they take to the roads, they slow down, drive safely and allow extra time for travel. Further, residents are advised to keep extra blankets, coats, gloves, and hats in vehicles in case you get stuck.

For minor accidents in which there are no injuries and the vehicles are still driveable, motorists are asked to report the accident as soon as possible at the Wheaton Police Department, 900 W. Liberty Drive.

The weather may slow police response times as well. The department asks residents to call 630-260-2161 with general police-related inquiries; and to call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency.

Power outages should be reported to ComEd at 1-800-Edison1 (1-800-334-7661).

Finally, the city asks residents to check on the elderly and disabled to see if they need any assistance.

Related:

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