Where Is Spring? Another Snowy Day for Des Plaines

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory until 11 a.m.

  Is Mother Nature playing a trick on us? Today is March 18, and we have yet another Winter Weather Advisory in effect. The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued the warning until 11 a.m. Snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected with up to an inch of accumulation possible. Heavy sleet could fall through mid-morning creating slick road conditions for drivers heading to work. According to Accuweather.com, the high temperature in Des Plaines today is 38 degrees with a “real feel” of 28. The low is 17 degrees with a “real feel” of -4. Temperatures won’t be any better the rest of the week, with temperatures just breaking 40 degrees by Saturday. This time last year, the temperatures reached 80 degrees. When spring finally arrives, …

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How Would You Rate Des Plaines' Snow Removal?

Were you satisfied with the city's services? Or do you think there's room for improvement?

This week's snow storm has been dubbed as the "biggest blizzard since 2011." Some 1,200 flights were canceled at O'Hare and Midway airports and Tuesday's rush hour was anything but delightful. O'Hare airport saw about 9 inches of snow on Tuesday. Des Plaines saw about 6 to 7 inches of that evil white stuff known as "snow."   What were your impressions of the city's snow removal services?  Post a comment below or share a story (maybe your neighbor didn't move his car!). To vote or comment you must be signed in. 

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Snowstorm Update: How Much Snow Fell in Northern Illinois?

Winter Storm Saturn was expected to dump 6-10 inches of snow across northern Illinois.

Update, 11:20 p.m.: Here's a look at more snowfall totals. Editor's Note: I wanted to note that not all towns have totals on the National Weather Service website. The National Weather Service relies on snowfall reports (emailed, phoned in or via Facebook) from residents and observers. So, sadly, I can only provide totals for the Patch communities included in the reports they've received. I often include other non-Patch communities just to offer a look at other regional totals. Did you measure the snowfall at your house? Share your totals in the comment section! ---------------- Update, 7:04 p.m.: Check out the latest snowfall totals as reported to the National Weather Service in Chicago. I'll provide another update around 11 p.m…

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Snow Blower Etiquette: What Times of Day Are Appropriate to Snow Blow?

Snow blowers are extremely helpful after a big storm, but they can also be very noisy. How late is too late and how early is too early to use the machines?

  Get ready for more snow! Another winter storm is expected to dump 6-9 inches of snow on the Des Plaines area from 3 a.m. to midnight Tuesday.   With snowfalls averaging 1.5 inches per hour, residents will likely have their snow blowers revved up and ready to go. Patch wants to know: How late is too late to snow blow your property and how early is too early? We posed the “snow blower etiquette” question to our Facebook fans during last week’s snow storm and here’s what residents had to say. (Comments have been slightly edited for grammar and clarity): "If the neighbors lights are off its too late. 7 a.m. on a weekday. A little later on the weekend." "6 a.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. on weekends. Until 9 p.m. on weekdays, until it's done on …

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Korrina's Skycast

UPDATE: Northern Illinois Under Winter Storm Warning for Tuesday

A winter storm warning has been issued for Tuesday in parts of northern Illinois.

UPDATE, 10:01 a.m. Monday: Much of northern Illinois is now under a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. to midnight Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Chicago says snowfall amounts of 6 to 9 inches can be expected, with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall rates could reach 1 or 1.5 inches per hour. "This will impact both rush hours on Tuesday, with the higher potential for heavy snowfall during the late afternoon and early evening rush hour," National Weather Service officials said. The warning includes the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry. ------------------ UPDATE, 4:53 p.m. Sunday: A winter storm watch is now in effect for much of northern Illinois. The watch, which will be in effect from late Monday …

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5 Snow Games to Rid the Winter Blues in Des Plaines

Looking for games to entertain the kids this weekend? Here are some fun ideas for the snowy weather in Des Plaines.

  Are your kids tired of playing indoors? Here are five fun ideas to kick away the winter blues. Snow Bowling Shovel the snow to create your bowling alley, spray water to create a smooth and slippery surface, make snow pins and balls. For instructions, visit: www.EscapadeDirect.com. You could even make colorful ice balloons to serve as the bowling ball. For instructions, visit: www.eHow.com.  Footprint Tag The same rules as regular tag except you can only step in others’ footprints. For instructions, visit: www.Kidactivities.net  Ice Block Sculptures Freeze colored water in ice-cube trays, then let the children create sculptures with the colored blocks. For instructions, visit: Spoonful.com Snow Treasure Hunt Fill a cooler with different …

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UPDATE: How Much Snow Fell in Northern Illinois?

How much snow has fallen in your neighborhood?

Update, 10:32 a.m., Wednesday: The highest snowfall amount from yesterday's winter storm was measuered in Beach Park, which received 11.7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. Here's a look at other snowfall totals reported to the National Weather Service: ---------------------- Update, 11:25 p.m.: Preliminary storm totals from the National Weather Service show that Gurnee received the highest snowfall amount, with 10 inches as of 9:35 p.m. Tuesday. Beach Park in northern Lake County was close behind, with 9.5 inches of snow. Here's a look at other totals from around the region: --------------------- Update, 7:45 p.m.: As much as 8.2 inches of snow has fallen in northern Illinois, according to storm totals …

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