Winter weather struck the greater Chicago area on Sunday morning, resulting in significant snowfall and flight disruptions at O’Hare International Airport.
Fresh Snowfall Impacts Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
A winter storm dropped up to 6 inches of fresh snow in some regions. This severe weather prompted a ground stop at O’Hare Airport, halting all incoming flights until approximately 9:15 a.m.
Snowfall Totals Across the Region
The snowfall was not uniform across the area. The highest accumulation was reported in Fairdale, where residents measured 6 inches. Other notable totals included:
- Rockford: 5.7 inches
- Wadsworth: 5 inches
- Batavia: 4.1 inches
- O’Hare: 4 inches
- Midway: 3.6 inches
Flight Delays and Accidents
As of 9 a.m., O’Hare reported 146 flight delays, with an average wait time of 77 minutes. The snow created hazardous conditions on roadways, leading to a collision near Terminal 2, where a sport-utility vehicle lost a door.
Weather Advisory Extended
A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for several counties, including:
- Cook
- DuPage
- Kane
- McHenry
- Kendall
- Lake
- Will
- Grundy (Illinois)
- Lake County (Indiana)
- Porter County (Indiana)
Initially set to expire at 9 a.m., the advisory has since been extended until 11 a.m.
Expected Weather Conditions
Snowfall is expected to taper off; however, lake-effect snow showers may occur later in the day. As temperatures drop into the teens, residents should prepare for a cold, cloudy evening.
