Winter Storm Update: What Evanston Residents Need To Know

EVANSTON, IL — Officials are urging local residents to keep a close eye on weather updates and reconsider traveling for the holidays as a winter storm slated to hit Evanston could lead to whiteout conditions and make driving treacherous.

The National Weather Service in Chicago issued a winter storm warning covering the Chicago starting from noon Thursday through 6 a.m. Saturday. Forecasters expect the area to see between 2 to 5 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, which could lead to whiteout conditions and zero visibility at times.

Noel Rodriguez, chief of the public services bureau at the Evanston Public Works Agency, said the majority of snowfall is expected to come Thursday afternoon and evening, with 2.2 to 3.5 inches of snow anticipated by 8 p.m.

It will become windy late Thursday and into Thursday night, with cloudy and very windy conditions forecast for Friday in Evanston. Passing flurries and a few snow showers are possible Friday morning and again overnight, but little accumulation is anticipated, Rodriguez said.

Wind chill values could also drop to 25 to 35 degrees below zero from Thursday night to Friday night.

Officials say power outages are possible due to the strong wind gusts, and roads could quickly become ice-covered starting Thursday afternoon as temps begin to drop.

• Timing Of Major Winter Storm Moved Up: When It Could Hit Illinois

City staff said snow parking restrictions may be imposed if snow accumulates, asking drivers to avoid parking on primary snow routes starting Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.

"Voluntarily abiding by posted parking signage will help plows clear snow to the curb, and reduce the chance that enforced parking restrictions will be needed," staff said, announcing the storm warning.

Residents can sign up online to receive notification of snow alerts in Evanston, or text "COE SNOW" or "COE SNOW YOU@YOUR-EMAIL.COM" to 468311.

Free parking will be available through Monday at the following locations, according to city staff:

Maple Avenue Downtown Parking Garage, 1800 Maple Ave.

From 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. Monday, drivers will receive a ticket while entering the garage but they will not need it to exit, as the gates will be left open.

St. Francis Hospital parking Garage, Sherman Avenue and Austin Street

From 12:01 a.m. Thursday to noon Monday, community members may park for free on the third level of the garage or above.

Evanston Township High School Parking Lots 1/1A, east of Dodge Avenue and south of Davis Street

Drivers can enter the ETHS lots from Davis Street and park for free from 5 p.m. Friday to noon on Monday.

City-Owned Surface Lots (Map)

Parking will be free at the following city surface lots from 12:01 a.m. Thursday through 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

• Lot 1, South Boulevard and Hinman Avenue (metered spaces only)
• Lot 3, 1700 Chicago Ave.
• Lot 4, Central Street at Stewart Avenue (metered spaces only)
• Lot 8, 811 Main St. (metered spaces only)
• Lot 16, 800/900 Noyes St. at the CTA tracks
• Lot 24, 727 Main St.
• Lot 51, 927 Noyes St. (metered spaces only)
• Lot 54, Central Street Metra Station
• James Park Lot, between the west field house and the hill, as well as the parking spaces on Mulford Street along the CTA tracks
• Levy Senior Center parking lot
• Metered spaces in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Sheridan Road, from Greenwood Street to Forest Place. Overnight parking restrictions and metered parking fees for this area will be waived. Parking in permit-only spaces is prohibited.
• Robert Crown Community Center lot (east of the exit at Dewey Avenue)

Evanston community centers will be open during operating hours to anyone who need to warm up.

Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St., will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Those who need shelter outside of opening hours should contact Evanston 311 at 847-448-4311 or the Evanston Police Department non-emergency service line at 847-866-5000.

Within 24 hours of any accumulation of snow or ice, residents are responsible for clearing a path at least 36 inches wide on sidewalks and ramps.

Seniors and people with disabilities who wish to request assistance with snow removal during the winter may sign up for the city's snow shoveling program, a free service in its 10th year of connecting volunteers with those in need.

Community members can sign up online to volunteer or request assistance from the program.

Patch will provide regular updates during this week's winter storm. Be sure to sign up for our email alerts and download the Patch app for the latest.