Chicagoans prepare for potential winter blast, stock up on supplies

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicagoans are bracing for what could be the first snow of the season, with salt, shovels and ice melt quickly disappearing from store shelves.

At Andersonville Hardware on North Clark Street, ice melt was flying off the shelves Sunday as residents geared up for a potential winter blast. Matthew Schmidt was among them, getting ready with some help from home.

“My husband is a former meteorologist, so he’s been keeping me very up to date,” Schmidt said.

Exactly how much snow the area will see remains uncertain.

A Winter Weather Warning will take effect for Cook, Will, Kankakee, Lake and Porter counties beginning at 9 p.m., Sunday, lasting until noon Monday.

La Porte County will go under the watch earlier, starting at 10 a.m. Sunday and continuing until 6 p.m. Monday.

Forecasters initially predicted up to three inches of lake-effect snow per hour, though recent updates suggest totals could be slightly lower.

“I think I’m excited for it. I did already get my shrink wrap weatherproofing on my windows done. I’m hoping I’m prepared, we’ll see if the radiators can do what they’re supposed to,” said Ryan Seffinger, who is heading into his second Chicago winter.

Originally from the Northeast, Seffinger said he knows what to expect once temperatures drop.

“To me, anything below 20, just don’t go outside. It’s all kind of the same under 20,” he said.

Fortunately, Seffinger can avoid the slushy commute many will face Monday morning.

“I feel bad for everyone who has to commute tomorrow morning. I’ll be cuddled up with my coffee and watching it all out the windows,” Seffinger said.