Chicago's first snowfall of the 2016-2017 winter season breaks the 1884 record, accumulating more than 6 inches of snow.
A woman walks down a street during a spring snow storm in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois on March 23, 2015. REUTERS/Jim Young

Winter weather has officially arrived in Chicago after some areas of the Windy City received Sunday between six and nine inches of snowfall. Many areas of Chicago were unable to adequately treat roads and sidewalks with enough salt and other snow-melting chemicals, which led to slushy roads throughout the city.

Snow started falling lightly in Chicago and surrounding cities early Sunday morning but picked up speed and accumulation throughout the day, resulting in a record-breaking amount of snow for the city’s first snowfall of the season, according to reports. Snowfall at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport reportedly received 6.4 inches of snow, which was the biggest first-day snowfall since Nov. 21, 2015.

Although snow advisories were issued Saturday, only one to three inches of snow was expected to fall on Sunday. Seventeen car crashes were reported Sunday due to the accumulating snow, according to ABC Chicago, including one multi-vehicle accident involving a police car. Two police officers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Four other adults were also hospitalized due to the crash. Their conditions have not been announced.

The massive first snowfall also resulted in a slew of flight cancellations. O’Hare International Airport reportedly canceled about 280 flights during the early morning and during the day Sunday. By Sunday evening, most flights were restored. However, flights were about 24 minutes behind scheduled.

Despite Sunday’s nearly freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, temperatures were expected to rise to the mid-40s in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday. Frigid temperatures were expected to drop again later in the week. On Wednesday, temperatures were expected to drop down to a high of 30 degrees while Thursday may be the coldest day of the week, with temperatures only expected to reach 21 degrees.

The last time more than six inches of snow fell during the first snowfall of the season in Chicago was back during the 1884 -1885 winter season.

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