UPDATE: Snowstorm 2012 - What You Need to Know

Update - 5:45 p.m.

The Village of Skokie has initiated alternate side parking for Saturday, Jan. 21. Be sure to park your vehicle on the odd side of the street tonight. For Sunday, park on the even numbered side of the street.

Many businesses are still open and delivering food. Wait times, however, are high. Road conditions are very bad, with many motorists driving 10 - 15 mph on main roads such as McCormick Boulevard. None of the snow has been cleared as it is still falling. Check here later for an update.

The Village will sound emergency alarms at 8:15 p.m. to remind people to move their cars. You can also call Skokie's 24-hour automated snow hot line at 847/675-SNOW (7669).

The CTA Purple line is running as usual. The Skokie Swift Yellow line will be suspended on Saturday Jan. 21 and Sunday Jan. 22.

Earlier -   

There are two camps when it comes to snow for 2012.

The first group thinks the lack of snow this year isn't a sign that there's a nasty snowstorm ahead. Then, there's the second group, which thinks the exact opposite, and that a massive s*** storm is definitely on its way.  

Only time will tell which camp is right, but in the meantime, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory warning for the Chicagoland area. At least 4 inches of snowfall is expected, but many news outlets are predicting 7 or more inches by night's end. Much of the accumulation is expected to occur north of I-80.

According to Weather.com, the storm is making its way from California, and any shifts in that storm "could have major implications on the potential snowfall amounts."

Temperatures are expected to have a high of 22 and a low of 14 degrees.

Things to look out for -

• Last year, after pulling him out of his vehicle before he suffocated. The man was sitting inside his car while it idled. Unknown to him, however, was the compressed snow clogging his tailpipe. Be sure to check your tailpipes and remove any clogged snow.
• If you use a plug-in electric heater at home, be sure not to connect it using an extension cord. This can (and has in my experience) cause a fire.
• Some snow fell late last night and with yesterday's chilling weather, ice may have built up on the roads. Drive with caution.
• Be sure to check on elderly neighbors and relatives. A phone call can go a long way.
• And finally, stay in and watch old movies, it's cozy when it's snowing outside.

The local angle

- Word got out early Thursday morning about the upcoming snow storm and many residents made sure to stock up on supplies for the weekend.

"People don't want to leave their homes in the middle of a snow storm," an employee at Jewell told Skokie Patch yesterday. "It's [8 p.m.] and we're a lot  busier than usual. People are stocking up on paper products, water, canned goods. Definitely more people than usual at this time."

Jewell will be open 24-hours today.

- The Skokie Swift Yellow line will be suspended on Saturday Jan. 21 and Sunday Jan. 22.

- When snow falls, park on the even side of the street on even numbered days and do the exact opposite on odd numbered days.

- Any abandoned cars left in the middle of roadways should be reported to the Village of Skokie. You can reach them at 847-673-0500.

- The non emergency number for the Skokie Police Department is: 847-982-5900.

Do you have awesome winter photos?

Send any snow related pictures to georges@patch.com and see them featured on the site!

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