Skyview: Dusting of snow covers salt silo roof

Standing like a lonely sentry ready for duty, there were signs of life at an Illinois Department of Transportation salt silo after a brief snow shower passed through Arlington Heights on New Year's Eve.

This year's snow season started with whiteout conditions on Halloween, but there has not been much snowfall since. Over the last few decades, Chicago and its suburbs often have been subjected to brutal cold and heavy snow by early January, but so far this winter season has been mild, with overnight temperatures barely dipping below freezing.

In this aerial photo, a layer of light snow accents the roof of the cone-shaped salt silo, which has an entrance on the east side for loading trucks. A pair of snowplow blades, one larger than the other and detached from trucks, sits outside.

A mild winter with warmer temperatures and less snow has been predicted for Chicago due to El Niño, which is caused by unusually warm waters in the equatorial Pacific. But, even during a mild winter, a snowstorm is inevitable and snowplow drivers soon will be loading their trucks at the salt silo as they work to keep the roadways clear.

If you have suggestions for something you'd like to see our drone pilots photograph, email skyview@dailyherald.com with your idea.