National Weather Service issues ice advisory into Wednesday

The steady rain that lead to some flooding throughout the suburbs is likely to freeze overnight and make for a slippery morning commute today.

The National Weather Service Chicago said Tuesday evening that the rain will gradually change into freezing rain and sleet as colder air begins to move into the area; it issued a winter weather advisory about 8:30 p.m. saying they expect ice accumulations of up to one-tenth of an inch. The advisory expires this morning.

The weather service advised drivers to use caution, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges.

Casey Sullivan, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said between 2 and 3 inches of rain fell in the area on Monday and Tuesday.

Rainfall at O'Hare broke the airport's daily record for Feb. 20 — about 2.38 inches of rain has accumulated there since the storm began on Monday. At Aurora Municipal Airport, 2.25 inches was reported.

The rain totals were lighter farther north: About 1.65 inches of rain fell at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling and Waukegan got around 1.22 inches since the storm began.

DuPage Airport got 1.99 inches, according to data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The weather service said there is an extreme flooding risk going into Wednesday as well as risks for fog and thunderstorms.

A flood warning for several suburban rivers that was issued early Tuesday remains in effect. The Fox, DuPage and Des Plaines rivers had already become swollen from rains Monday night into Tuesday will continue to rise significantly. At 5:20 p.m. Tuesday the east branch of the Du Page River at Bolingbrook was at 21.5 feet, two feet above flood stage.