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Snow's winding down in suburbs - now brace yourself for frigid temps

The first snow of the season - dumping the heavy, white stuff across the suburbs and canceling hundreds of flights at O'Hare and Midway - will be followed by frigid temperatures, forecasters say.

Wintry weather's arrival delivered a one-two punch. Though the snow that started Friday tapered off by Saturday evening, forecasters now are warning of icy conditions and urge caution on roads. Wind chills Sunday morning will feel as low as 8 degrees below zero, the National Weather Service said.

The dense snow disrupted travel plans at O'Hare, where 11.2 inches was recorded - the second highest November total on the books, according to the National Weather Service. More than 580 flights had been canceled, and airlines were reporting at least hourlong delays early Saturday evening. At Midway, more than 190 flights were grounded.

The suburbs were so much the epicenter of the winter storm that the Weather Channel broadcast live from the Arlington Heights Metra station Saturday morning.

Lake County towns ranked among the hardest hit areas of the region. In Mundelein, more than 16 inches of snow fell by Saturday afternoon.

Gurnee Director of Public Works Tom Rigwood said his village was well prepared for the snowstorm. A full complement of vehicles and crews worked to clear roads after at least 17 trees had snapped from the weight of the snow.

Rigwood advised caution with both the possible slipperiness of the roads as well as in approaching low-hanging tree branches or wires.

And the weather posed challenges for state playoff high school football games - for ground crews clearing fields, players dealing with cold temperatures, slippery footballs and poor visibility, and fans freezing in the stands.

In Mundelein, the high school's Future Business Leaders of America chapter had been poised to hold its own version of "The Amazing Race" to fundraise for its travel to statewide and national competitions. But the seemingly unending snowfall caused too many participants to back out of the event, which would have required driving to several different locations, said Ron Girard, the high school's public information officer. A backup date was not immediately scheduled.

While the snow ended one opportunity, it created another.

Elgin High School student Justin Plata and two friends went on Facebook to solicit shoveling business in Elgin, with homeowners able to offer as much as they thought their job was worth.

By late morning, the boys had finished two jobs for $15 each and were looking forward to their next at $30 each.

This was the first time they'd tried Facebook to find such work, in an example of necessity being the mother of invention.

"We're just trying to save up for Black Friday," Plata laughed.

Images: First snowfall blankets the suburbs

  Snow continues to fall Saturday morning as Madonna Spayd, left, and Ann Marie Stephenson, both of Mount Prospect, wait for an inbound Metra train in Mount Prospect. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  As a snow creature stands by, Tim Lee of South Elgin looks to see if he can move a tree limb blocking the Great Western Trail in Wasco Saturday morning. Lee and his wife, Julie, had just passed by the tree on their 10-mile run when it crashed down behind them. The couple are members of the PR Performance Running group based in St. Charles. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Anna Smith of Elgin finishes her nine-mile run along the Great Western Trail in Wasco Saturday morning. She and about 30 members of the PR Performance Running group ran trail in the snow. "There were a few places where there were drifts and you just had to run like a gazelle," Smith said with a laugh. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  A snowplow clears the northbound lane on Route 47 in Lily Lake Saturday morning. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  A kitty snowman greets runners on the Great Western Trail in Wasco Saturday morning. About 30 members of the PR Performance Running group based in St. Charles took the snowy trail and made a couple snow creatures at the end of their run. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Snow is cleared from the White Brothers Trucking Co. and Wasco Truck Repair joint parking lot as cars make their way eastbound on Route 64 in Wasco Saturday morning. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  A City of Geneva plow clears the sidewalk along Third Street near South Street in downtown Geneva shopping district Saturday morning. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Snow clings to berries on a tree outside The Little Traveler shop in Geneva Saturday morning. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  A snowy table for two outside Stone Tower Properties on South Street in Geneva Saturday morning. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Nearly a foot of snow fell near Wauconda in Lake County between Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Diane Dungey/ddungey@dailyherald.com
  Nearly a foot of snow fell near Wauconda in Lake County between Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Diane Dungey/ddungey@dailyherald.com

Have snow photos?

Sometimes, the first snow of the year is a few flakes. This one, though, packed some punch, especially in the far north and west suburbs. Send your snow photos to <a href="mailto:share@dailyherald.com">share@dailyherald.com</a>. Include your name, town and a brief description. We'll post as many as we can online.

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