CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago area received 1 to 4 inches of snow Thursday as the first winter storm of the season made its way through.

The accumulating snow ended around 2 p.m., but flurries are still visible in some areas.

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Most parts of the area received 1 to 7 centimeters of snow, but some areas received as much as 10 centimeters.

Rain follows snow as temperatures rise.

The Chicago area saw its first snow showers last night, with more snow to follow on Thursday.

A winter weather advisory for parts of the Chicago area has expired.

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The National Weather Service said winds will increase in the afternoon after the bulk of snowfall.

Snow totals as of Thursday 4 p.m.:

Wauconda: 4.0″
Lake Bluff: 3.7″
Gornee: 3.5″
Norwood Park: 3.0″
Edge water: 3.0″
Carol current: 3.0″
Crystal Lake: 2.9″
O’Hare: 2.7″
House wood: 2.5″
Ogden Dunes: 2.5″
Naperville: 2.1″

Snow in the city

The Department of Streets and Sanitation has deployed salt spreaders and will continue to work throughout the day, focusing on arterial roads and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Motorists are advised to be careful when driving and allow extra driving time to allow space between cars.

There were ground delays at O’Hare and Midway airports.

As of about 4 p.m., O’Hare had delays of about 42 minutes and Midway had 71 minutes.

More than 80 flights were canceled at O’Hare and 22 at Midway.

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park was closed Thursday due to the storm.

Snowfall in the suburbs

The first snowfall of the season caught many people off guard, including some drivers who had trouble on the slick roads, leading to a two-car crash in Carpentersville.

Snow was still falling Thursday afternoon as plow truck drivers worked to clear the roads in Algonquin. It’s their first time on the road this season and they were ready.

“The guys are looking forward to it. Another season of overtime,” said Algonquin General Services Supt. said Vince Kilcullen.

Because warmer temperatures are expected to melt much of the snow quickly, they use salt sparingly. They have plenty of salt on hand, including much of last year’s supply, which was not needed due to the mild winter.

Of course, the past few months have been unseasonably warm this year, which is why some people were stocking up on salt, shovels and other winter gear at the Barrington Ace Hardware.

“I’m new to this area, I don’t have a shovel yet, so it seems like a good time to get one,” said customer Michelle Scandroli.

“We had to drag out all the shovels, scrapers and brushes and hang them on the wall as quickly as possible,” says Ray Witczak of Ace Hardware.

Snow fell heavily in the northern suburbs all morning. In Richmond, on the Wisconsin border, they broke out shovels to clear driveways.

But for many, the first snowfall of the season is fun. Algonquin resident Jennifer Thomas let her dog Bailey play in the white stuff.

“I looked up and thought, I gotta take her outside and let her play and have a little fun in the snow,” Thomas said.

Smooth morning ride

Downtown commuters braved the cold Thursday morning when they were hit with the first snow of the season.

Commuter Andrew Luchs said he wasn’t ready for the snow.

“It’s pretty cold,” he said.

“I saw it was going to blow, but not the wind, not the snow,” said commuter Maggie Nance.

Some came prepared.

“I had my hats and my gloves and my wool pants and sweaters and everything ready and I’m nice and warm,” Dory Reed said.

Others were not.

“It’s really cold, yeah,” said commuter Sam King. “I forgot my gloves so that’s on me, but I’m just getting used to it at this time of year.”

Commuters walking to work took it easy on the slippery sidewalks and wet pavement.

‘I walk slowly, but I have good boots with grip; so I think I’ll be safe,” Reed said.

“It’s like winter is back, you know, I love it,” Luchs said.

The city says it will adjust funding as necessary.

Before winter officially begins, Lake Forest Market Square was transformed into a winter wonderland.

“I think it’s great,” Lake Forest resident Jim Stebbins said. “I love the snow, I love the changes. I say bring it on.”

“I’m super excited,” said Emily Gomez, who works in Lake Forest. “I think it’s great. I’m a January baby, so I’m really excited. I think this kicks the season into gear a little bit.”

Snow fell in the sheets, covering cars, roads and plants.

Emily Lauridsen of Lake Forest bundled her 2-year-old daughter up for the winter weather.

“It was a bit of a surprise,” Lauridsen said. “I went for a walk early this morning and I thought this was nothing. We just dropped our middle child off at preschool and I thought this was something more serious.”

Within minutes, highways were covered in blowing snow and melting snow, creating hazardous road conditions.

Illinois Department of Transportation trucks tried to stay ahead of the frigid, wet weather.

“Kind of surprised, really,” said Lake Forest resident Lou Milicich. “We’ve been spoiled for the past two months; the weather has been phenomenal and suddenly there’s snow.”

“This is like, you know what? Let’s enjoy the snow today,” said Jeannette Acevede, who is visiting from Florida.

Acevede is in town for her daughter’s graduation from Naval Station Great Lakes and said the snow is a welcome surprise, if only for the morning.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “You don’t experience this every day. So for us it’s perfect.”

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