Chicago Airports Lead Nation in Cancellations Amid Storm Update

UPDATE: Chicago’s major airports are experiencing a surge in flight cancellations this morning, leading the nation despite lighter-than-expected snowfall. As of 8 a.m. today, 144 flights have been canceled at O’Hare Airport, alongside 72 cancellations at Midway Airport, as reported by FlightAware. Additionally, 135 arriving flights at O’Hare and 52 at Midway have also been affected.

The city recorded 1.6 inches of snow at O’Hare and 2.5 inches at Midway by 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. While initial forecasts predicted between 7 to 15 inches of snow through Tuesday, meteorologist Zachary Yack indicated that only “half an inch at worst” is expected as the storm begins to diminish. “The snow band may stay just offshore of the city, so the city may not pick up much more,” Yack added.

Despite the reduced snowfall, the impact on travel is significant. A winter storm warning for Cook County is set to expire at noon today. However, temperatures are expected to remain around 35 degrees throughout the day, with wind chills plunging into the 20s and potentially dropping into the teens tonight.

In response to the cold conditions, various warming and senior centers across the city will be open today. Yack urged commuters to exercise caution when driving, as road visibility can quickly decrease under the snow band. “Even though some snowfall totals weren’t as big as originally forecast, there are still slick spots,” he said. Rain from the weekend has frozen, exacerbating hazardous road conditions.

Travelers are advised to monitor their flight statuses closely and prepare for adjustments to their travel plans as the situation unfolds. Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this developing story progresses.