With less than two weeks left in November, the first of two cold blasts predicted to
sweep the Chicago area this week offered a preview Monday of early December. The
36-degree high recorded at O'Hare not only equaled the "normal" daytime maximum
that occurs here Dec. 11, it was also 10 degrees below normal and the city's chilliest
afternoon reading since 34 degrees on March 21.
The interaction between the cold air and still "warm" waters of southern Lake Michigan
(which average 46 degrees) was explosive, sending the lake-snow machine into
overdrive in sections of Michigan and Indiana. By nightfall, 9 inches had fallen near
Holland and 8 inches was down at Saugatuck -- both in Michigan -- and nearly 3
inches had fallen at South Bend, Ind. Traffic was reported moving slowly along a stretch
of Interstate Highway 94 from Burns Harbor to Michigan City due to ice and drifting
snow.
Snow showers in the Chicago area Monday were more sporadic and lighter -- but they
rendered road surfaces icy and treacherous.
UP TO 8 INCHES IN SNOWBELT LATE MONDAY; 10-14 INCHES TO STACK UP IN HARDEST HIT AREAS
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
