Winter Storm Strikes Chicago: Schools Shut Down, Flights Canceled, Roads Turn Treacherous
A fierce winter storm has taken hold of the Chicago region, delivering heavy snow, gusty winds and travel chaos. The storm triggered widespread school closings in my area, forced hundreds of flight cancellations and turned roads into slick hazard zones.
Storm Overview & Accumulation
Late Sunday night into early Monday, a band of intense lake‑effect snow moved through the greater Chicago area. Reports indicate snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour, and some areas north of Chicago picked up 6 to 12 inches of accumulation.
At major airports, the situation reflected the disruption: O’Hare International Airport logged early morning totals of 1.2 inches, smashing the previous Nov 10 record of 0.4 inches set in 1991.
School Closings and Remote Learning
Because of the fast‑moving snow and hazardous road conditions, multiple school districts announced closures or shifts to e‑learning.
For many families searching “school closings in my area”, this meant cancelled bus routes, delayed staff arrivals and an abrupt transition to virtual classrooms.
Flights Grounded, Travel Disrupted
Air travel around Chicago has been hammered. Over 450 flights were canceled across O’Hare and Midway International Airport in the 24‑hour period. O’Hare alone logged approximately 243 cancellations, with Midway reporting around 130.
In a travel‑heavy hub like Chicago, the cancellations ripple outward—connecting flights, car rentals, hotel stays all impacted.
Road and Commute Conditions
Road crews were stretched thin as the snow intensified. More than 250 salt‑spreader trucks were deployed Sunday night to clear major arterials and the lake‑front drive.
Still, motorists confronted whiteout conditions, slick surfaces and reduced visibility. Late Sunday and early Monday saw multiple spin‑outs and crashes on expressways.
Hourly Temperatures & Forecast
Tracking hourly temperatures and conditions remains critical. Chilly air wrapping around the storm pushed wind‑chills into the low 20s (°F) or even teens, with actual air temperatures hovering near freezing.
Forecasts show the worst of the storm easing later Monday, with highs for the rest of the week climbing toward the 40s and 50s.
Why It Happened: Understanding the Weather Situation
This is more than just typical winter snow. A cold air mass moving across the relatively warm waters of Lake Michigan triggered strong lake‑effect snow bands.
The region also fell under a Winter Storm Warning which, for many counties, remained in effect through the morning hours before being downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory once the heaviest band moved east.
What Residents Should Do
- Monitor local weather updates and hourly temperatures for sudden shifts.
- For those seeing updates for “school closings in my area”, check your district website or alert system early.
- Delay travel if possible. If you must drive, allow extra time, reduce speed and avoid highways if conditions worsen.
- For air travellers: confirm your flight status before heading to the airport, expect further delays or cancellations.
- Clear driveways and sidewalks cautiously — heavy snow accumulations and drifting wind can obscure hazards.
- Stay updated on the broader USA weather situation—adjacent states around the Great Lakes will see similar conditions.
Take‑Away
This strong lake‑effect snow event has rocked the Chicago region — school systems paused regular in‑person instruction, airports ground many flights and roads turned risky. With changing hourly temperatures and a dynamic winter storm setup, residents are being advised to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and plan for lingering impacts even after the snow ends.
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