In brief
Over the weekend, more than 8 inches of snow fell in Chicago, disrupting flights and travel. The Northeast is bracing for significant snowfall as parts of New England anticipate up to 10 inches. Crews in Pennsylvania are prepping the turnpike for adverse weather, and conditions remain dangerous for commuters as travel delays spread across multiple states.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Post-holiday travelers in the Midwest faced dangerous conditions as black ice, snow showers, and fog created disruptions on Monday. The Northeast was preparing for its first significant snowstorm of the season.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport recorded over 8 inches (20.32 centimeters) of snow over the weekend, marking the highest single-day November snowfall in its history, as stated by the National Weather Service. This new record eclipses the previous one set in 1951.
By early Sunday evening, nearly 300 flights in and out of O’Hare had been canceled, with about 1,600 delays reported by FlightAware. As conditions remained treacherous, additional cancellations and delays were expected into Monday night.
In the Northeast, regions in northern New England were forecasted to receive up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) of snow, while a potentially icy storm could also deliver rain to other areas. Affected states are preparing for significant impacts from the incoming weather.
Pennsylvania’s transportation agency reported that crews would begin treating snow routes along the 565-mile (909-kilometer) Pennsylvania Turnpike on Monday, anticipating plowable snow to blanket the turnpike. Vehicle restrictions would take effect Tuesday morning.
More than 600 equipment operators are available to ensure the proper clearing of the turnpike's routes while winter preparation efforts have been ongoing since mid-November.
Chicago's O’Hare airport saw a busy return following the Thanksgiving holiday, as travelers like Don Herrian faced delays after visiting family in Indianapolis. It is what it is, Herrian said, noting the congested atmosphere at the airport and on the roads leading to the facility.
Snowfall impacts extended beyond flight cancellations; in Wisconsin, utility crews worked to restore power to thousands affected by outages, particularly in Milwaukee. Airport operations in Des Moines saw a critical flight incident when a Delta Connection aircraft slid off an icy runway but resulted in no injuries.
Conditions are expected to improve for some areas of the Midwest as the snow tapers, though the Northeast is bracing for potentially heavier amounts by Tuesday.
As forecasters predict significant snowfall, winter readiness remains a top priority for residents and local agencies across the affected regions.
