Key Takeaways
- December is starting with a significant snowfall in the Chicago area, with 2-4 inches of snow predicted
- The incoming weather system is causing delays and cancellations at Chicago’s two airports, O’Hare and Midway
- A winter weather advisory is in effect until the predawn hours, with light to moderate snowfall expected
- The snowfall is not expected to be as heavy as the record-breaking storm over the weekend, which dumped almost 9 inches of snow on parts of the city
- Temperatures are expected to "warm up" to the upper 20s or possibly 30 degrees for the rest of Monday and into Tuesday
Introduction to the Winter Storm
The city of Chicago is bracing itself for another round of snowfall, just days after a record-breaking storm hit the area over the weekend. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Doom, between 2 and 4 inches of snow are likely to fall, with the snow showers drifting in from the Midwest. The snow is expected to start falling west of Chicago by early afternoon and in the city proper closer to midafternoon. This new wave of snowfall is causing some disruptions, with 218 cancellations at O’Hare airport and one at Midway as of 2 p.m. on Monday. Delays at both airports were reported to be around 20 minutes.
Impact on Air Travel
The incoming weather system is having a significant impact on air travel in the Chicago area. As of 2 p.m. on Monday, there had been 218 cancellations at O’Hare airport, with one cancellation reported at Midway airport. Delays at both airports were around 20 minutes, causing inconvenience to travelers. The winter weather advisory that went into effect at 2 p.m. is likely to exacerbate the situation, with light to moderate snowfall expected throughout the day. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules and to plan accordingly.
Weather Forecast
According to Kevin Doom, the snowfall is expected to be light to moderate, with nothing like the heavy snowfall experienced over the weekend. The storm that hit Chicago over the weekend was the snowiest November day ever recorded, with almost 9 inches of snow falling on parts of the city. O’Hare airport reported 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday and 0.3 inches on Sunday, while Midway airport had 7.2 inches as of noon on Sunday. In contrast, the current snowfall is expected to be much lighter, with temperatures "warming up" to the upper 20s or possibly 30 degrees for the rest of Monday and into Tuesday.
Previous Snowfall Records
The snowfall over the weekend was a record-breaker, with Saturday being the snowiest November day ever recorded in Chicago. The storm dumped almost 9 inches of snow on parts of the city over two days, causing significant disruptions to daily life. The previous record for the snowiest November day was broken, with O’Hare airport reporting 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday alone. The snowfall was widespread, with Midway airport reporting 7.2 inches of snow as of noon on Sunday. The record-breaking snowfall was a significant event, and the city is still recovering from the effects of the storm.
Current Weather Conditions
As of Monday morning, there was not much wind brewing, meaning no arctic wind chills, although it was cold, with temperatures around 20 degrees. The lack of wind is a welcome relief, as it means that the snowfall will not be accompanied by the bitter cold and wind chills that can make the weather feel even more severe. The temperatures are expected to "warm up" to the upper 20s or possibly 30 degrees for the rest of Monday and into Tuesday, providing some respite from the cold weather. However, the winter weather advisory remains in effect until the predawn hours, and residents are advised to exercise caution when traveling and to check the latest weather updates regularly.