Contrary to most weather forecasters' predictions, many Chicagoans got to experience a white Christmas on Tuesday.
The snow began falling around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning on the city's North Side -- during prime present-opening time for many of the city's children. According to CBS Chicago, some Chicagoans said the light dusting of lake-effect snow was their favorite present they received this holiday.
Between 1 and 2 inches of snow fell mostly north of Belmont Avenue near the lake, the Chicago Tribune reports. At O'Hare International Airport, just 0.1 inches of snowfall was recorded, bringing the city's season-to-date total of snowfall to just 0.4 inches, the least snow to have fallen this late in the season in 69 years.
The snow was a factor in some crashes and spin outs in the area, ABC Chicago reports.
The Chicago area may get more of the white stuff yet this week. Flurries are also in the forecast for Thursday morning, according to NBC Chicago.
Meanwhile, a large winter storm hit southern Illinois Tuesday, bringing four inches to a foot of snow -- with more expected to fall through mid-Wednesday, the AP reports.