CHICAGO — Chicagoans woke up to a city covered in ice Tuesday morning.
Monday night’s freezing rain, which lasted from about 6 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, produced a layer of ice on everything from our street signs to our trees.
It’s what happens when rain drops that are either near freezing or below freezing come in contact with surfaces that are below freezing.
Many posted photos of ice-covered trees, bridges and signs to social media, but experts warn not to get too distracted by the beauty — the ice can be dangerous.
The ice has made for slick roads and sidewalks. Plus, icy branches and power lines could fall as the wind picks up Tuesday afternoon, according to Scott Lincoln with the National Weather Service.
Already some of the ice is beginning to melt, and that should only continue as the day goes on, according to Lincoln.
The forecast for Tuesday calls for a drizzle and scattered snow showers, but no more freezing rain, according to Lincoln.
Check out some photos below:


Ice storm! You know the drill, Chicago: Walk like a penguin. pic.twitter.com/egJVcIQ6kb
— Michelle K Stenzel (@MichelleStenzel) February 12, 2019
Chicago ice storm @NWSChicago pic.twitter.com/jUn28CpjuN
— 🅿🅷🅸🅻 🅳 (@pdelamothe) February 12, 2019
the only ICE I’m interested in #Chicago pic.twitter.com/e3qGyGxbPk
— 🦈 Katie 🦈 (@mister_quint) February 12, 2019
Chicago ice. The hits keep on comin'.@WGNMorningNews @PaulKonrad #Chicagoweather pic.twitter.com/hWfXgFm9Zu
— John Dean (@JMD_Writes) February 12, 2019
Ice Storm In Chicago Today pic.twitter.com/SyyCaPE6pN
— The Food Guy™ – Official (@TonyOnFood) February 12, 2019
More #ice in #Chicago… pic.twitter.com/kGOEvxFAdA
— Sara Berg (@SaraTheIceBerg) February 12, 2019
The city is encased in a layer of ice. #chicago pic.twitter.com/mjhAtfCzn6
— Rebecca Lehmann (@BeckyLehmann) February 12, 2019
February ice storm 2019 #Chicago #ice pic.twitter.com/1t8gkcGS46
— Steven James Tabor (@stevenjtabor) February 12, 2019
Chicago ice: some beauty in the winter greyness. pic.twitter.com/kHmET5YuNn
— Bridget English (@bridgetrenglis2) February 12, 2019
Aside from the slush, it’s pretty nice out today. pic.twitter.com/kBTIlZ7V6G
— Mauricio Peña (@MauricioPena) February 12, 2019