Crashes were reported Monday morning amid slick conditions, including blowing snow from gusts as high as 55 mph, as a winter weather advisory was issued for Lake and McHenry counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 3:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday for far northern Illinois.
Lake, McHenry, Kane, Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, Ogle and northern Cook counties were included in the advisory.
The NWS said wind-driven light snow and blowing snow would cause localized hazardous travel.
Snow accumulations of up to around an inch were expected alongside winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
The NWS warned motorists to plan on slick road conditions. Areas of blowing snow would significantly reduce visibility.
The hazardous conditions impacted the Monday morning commute with crashes reported throughout the area, most of which appeared to happen in McHenry County.
The Huntley Fire Protection District responded to five separate vehicle crashes throughout the morning, including at Harmony Road and South Grant Highway, eastbound Interstate 90 at the 42-mile marker, eastbound Interstate 90 at the 51-mile marker, Route 47 and Mill Street, and eastbound Interstate 90 at the 47.25-mile marker.
A vehicle crash with possible entrapment was reported at Route 47 and Ware Road in unincorporated Woodstock around 4 a.m.
Firefighters and paramedics in Harvard responded around 5:55 a.m. to a vehicle crash with injuries at 600 South Division Street.
A three-vehicle crash with injuries was reported at Route 14 and Hartland Road in unincorporated Woodstock around 6:45 a.m.
The Lake County Division of Transportation said plows were on the roads for the snow received overnight.
“Strong westerly wind gusts over 45 mph, combined with the snow can make the commute today a challenging drive. Crashes have been reported this morning. Please drive carefully today,” the division of transportation said.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said the intersection of O’Brien Road and Alden Road outside of Harvard was shut down after live power lines came down, requiring ComEd to respond and repair the wires. The intersection was reopened around 6 a.m.
The NWS said the strong westerly winds will slowly diminish over the course of the day. There is another chance for light snow on Wednesday afternoon into New Year’s Eve.