Snowstorm Threatens Chicago with Monday Travel Disruptions
Chicago is bracing for another winter storm that threatens to disrupt travel on Monday. Following a significant snow event over the Thanksgiving weekend, authorities are preparing for more snow starting in the afternoon.
Impact on Chicago Airports
O’Hare and Midway International Airports are still recovering from cancellations resulting from the previous storm. On Monday morning, O’Hare reported 52 flight cancellations and average delays of 22 minutes. Conversely, Midway showed signs of recovery with minor delays and no cancellations.
Record Snowfall and Disruptions
On Saturday, Chicago experienced a record-breaking snowfall of 8.4 inches, marking it as the highest single-day November snowfall in the city’s history. As a result, nearly 1,500 flights were canceled across both airports, in addition to over 1,000 delays.
- Saturday: 8.4 inches of snow at O’Hare
- Flight cancellations: Nearly 1,500
- Delays: Over 1,000
- Sunday: Over 500 cancellations
- More than 2,000 delayed flights
Ground Stops and Ongoing Travel Challenges
Travel disruptions escalated further on Sunday. Two ground stops were enacted: one at Midway after a Southwest Airlines jet slid off the taxiway, and another at O’Hare due to adverse weather conditions. These incidents compounded the challenges faced by travelers, many of whom were returning home after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Mary Jo Armstrong, a traveler, described her frustrating experience: “We left Egypt about a day and a half ago and have been trying to get back to Milwaukee since then.”
Weather Alerts and Advice for Travelers
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect starting at 2 p.m. for the entire CBS Chicago viewing area. Forecasts predict an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow. Travelers are advised to plan for extra time at the airport and continuously check their airline apps for updates on flight statuses.
