By Saturday evening, the Chicago area had already received nearly 40 inches of snow, surpassing snowfall totals for the entire winter season last year.
The official snowfall total at O'Hare International Airport after Saturday's snow: 38.9 inches. And we're only halfway through meteorological winter. The season average is 36.7 inches, an amount breached only six other times as long as records have been kept.
Flakes began falling during the late morning and early afternoon hours in most areas. As of 6 p.m. Saturday, meteorologists reported 2.4 inches of snow at O'Hare. Other areas, including Kankakee, Peotone, Streator and Burbonnais, saw between 4 and 5 inches.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed 200 snow plows and salt spreaders Saturday afternoon.
The department said the fleet initially focused on salting and removing snow on the city's main arteries and Lake Shore Drive. Those crews were redeployed to side and residential streets after the snow stopped.
Aviation officials said at least 150 flights were canceled Saturday afternoon. Midway reported eight cancelations due to de-icing.
The weather made for hazardous driving conditions as several cars were reported in ditches or off the road.
Indiana State Police closed Interstate 65 near Lafayette in both directions because of multiple crashes.
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