Preparations for the Chicago area's first blast of winter weather were in full swing on Sunday, as an intense burst of lake-effect snow was expected to slam the region.

A winter storm warning for parts of Cook County was issued beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, warning of dangerous to impossible travel conditions due to intense lake-effect snow. Snowfall rates in excess of three inches per hour, localized snow accumulations in excess of 12 inches and northerly wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour were expected, the National Weather Service said. Other Chicago-area counties were also under a winter storm warning.

Ahead of the snowfall, Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation was well-stocked and ready. Four hundred thousand tons of salt have been loaded into trucks, and crews are rea

See Full Page