Winter Storm Disrupts Chicago Holiday Travel | Live Radar Update

Winter Storm Disrupts Chicago Area, Brings Record Snowfall

A winter storm warning is currently in effect for most counties in the Chicago area, with several inches of snow expected to fall over 24 hours. The storm is set to continue until 6 a.m. on Sunday, bringing significant disruptions to daily life and travel.

Areas in and around Chicago and Northwest Indiana are anticipated to receive between 5 to 8 inches of snow, while regions to the north and west of the city could see more than 8 inches. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 30 miles per hour at times, further complicating conditions.

ABC7 Chicago is now offering 24/7 streaming, allowing residents to stay updated on the latest developments. According to AccuWeather meteorologists, the heaviest snowfall occurred between noon and 8 p.m. on Saturday. As of 6 p.m., O'Hare International Airport had recorded 6.9 inches of snow, making it one of the snowiest November days in Chicago history.

The current record for the snowiest November day in Chicago was set on November 6, 1951, with 8 inches of snow. The second snowiest November day was on November 26, 1975, when 7.5 inches were recorded. Other parts of the Chicago area, such as Barrington, have already measured at least 7.5 inches of snow by Saturday evening.

Travel Disruptions and Road Closures

The winter storm has caused significant travel disruptions, particularly during the Thanksgiving holiday. O'Hare Airport reported 1,208 cancellations, while Midway Airport had 246 cancellations. Average delays at O'Hare reached 43 minutes, and 24 minutes at Midway.

Roads across the Chicago area became treacherous, with snow and ice causing multiple accidents. In Dundee and Waukegan, vehicles spun out on icy roads, and a family in Winnetka had to be rescued from a ditch. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) crews worked tirelessly to treat and clear interstates, with IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi stating that the state could see between 8 to 12 inches of snow before the storm ends.

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Chicago Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard emphasized the importance of clearing main city roads first to ensure emergency vehicles, buses, and other essential services can move freely. "We gotta make sure the emergency vehicles, police, fire, ambulance, and buses folks driving we're gonna make sure that you can move around on those main arterials," Stallard said.

Major Crash and Safety Concerns

Slick, snowy conditions led to a 45-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near Terre Haute, Indiana. A Department of Transportation camera captured a long line of cars, trucks, and SUVs scattered across the road. Part of the interstate was shut down for several hours until the crash was cleared. Indiana State Police confirmed there were no serious injuries.

The storm also impacted holiday travel, with AAA reporting that more than 4 million people are traveling this holiday weekend—a nearly 2% increase from last year. Despite the weather, some residents and visitors took advantage of the snow to enjoy the holidays.

Holiday Celebrations Amid the Storm

People in Chicago continued to shop, play in the snow, and celebrate the holidays. The Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza remained open throughout the day, with long lines forming. However, the Christkindlmarket in Aurora closed at 2 p.m., and the Wrigleyville location closed at 4 p.m. due to the snow. The downtown Chicago market stayed open until 9 p.m.

Many visitors from other states described the snow as a pleasant surprise. Daniel Fridman from St. Louis said, "This is perfect. I looked outside this morning, and said this is exactly the day for us to go out there." David Gillanders from California added, "I love it. The only time we get this is if we go on snowboard ski trips at local mountains."

For lifelong Chicagoans, the storm brought mixed feelings. While some expressed frustration with the long winter ahead, others still found joy in the city's transformation into a winter wonderland.

Impact on Sports Events

The snowstorm also affected sports events. The IHSA Class 5A-8A Football State Championship games scheduled for Saturday at Illinois State University in Bloomington were postponed. The 5A and 6A games will now be played on Tuesday, while the 7A and 8A games will take place on Wednesday at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Weather Outlook

After the snow moves out, cold temperatures will remain on Sunday, with overnight lows in single digits. There is potential for a transition from snow to rain Saturday night and Sunday morning. For the Midwest and East Coast, the storm could create dangerous conditions for thousands of people heading back home after Thanksgiving.

Stay tuned for updates on weather alerts and live Doppler radar. Check Cook County Radar, DuPage County Radar, Will County Radar, Lake County Radar (IL), Kane County Radar, and Northwest Indiana Radar for the latest information.