With a beautiful sunny sky, a forecast for a high in the mid-40’s and snow and ice already melting, many people were eager to get out after a long cold snap in the Chicago area. Unfortunately walking surfaces were especially slick this Saturday morning and numerous falls on the ice across the northwest suburbs from Elk Grove to Palatine to Arlington Heights required help from paramedics.
The surfaces are especially slick because the general melt and direct sunshine on frozen surfaces causes a layer of water to form over ice and snow-packed areas on driveways, sidewalks and bike paths. Most falls occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. with air temperatures rising from the mid-30’s to the upper 30’s. Head injuries with bleeding and possible broken legs were reported.