Brutally cold temperatures and snow Monday forced delays at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and made for a messy evening commute.
Snow began falling in the afternoon and evening hours across the Chicago area.
Due to the frigid temperatures, the National Weather Service warns the snow will likely accumulate on roadways and may create slick and hazardous driving conditions. Drivers were urged to plan for extra travel time as the snowfall became steady through the afternoon and evening commute.
Snow totals of just under an inch were recorded by late afternoon, with more than an inch expected to fall by the evening hours.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed 280 snow plows to main routes and Lake Shore Drive during the evening commute. The city said it planned to monitor road conditions and adjust resources as needed.
Due to the snowy and icy conditions, a Traffic Management Program went into effect just before 11:30 a.m. at O’Hare Airport with arriving flights being delayed by more than an hour, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The program remained in effect during the afternoon.
Midway Airport did not report any significant delays at that time.
Monday morning brought the coldest temperatures of the season for the Chicago area, with bitter temps barely hovering around zero to start the day and whipping wind chills dropping as low as minus 15 in some areas.
