Chicagoland slips into deep freeze as brutal winter storm grounds planes and drivers

Another brutal winter storm continues to grip Chicagoland on Sunday, canceling hundreds of flights and sparking crashes on icy expressways, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. The Federal Aviation Administration reported departure delays at O'Hare International Airport starting at 10:15 a.m., averaging 15 minutes and growing due to snow and ice, according to WGNTV. A Winter Weather Advisory blankets most of the area through much of the day.

At O’Hare, 584 flights were canceled, with 354 delayed over 24 hours this morning, says the Sun-Times, adding that 108 flights were scrapped and 51 held up at Midway. The National Weather Service reported that over 1 inch of snow had piled up at O'Hare early this morning, and about 2 inches at Midway by 6 a.m.

Roads turn treacherous in single digits

Illinois State Police handled 205 crashes on Chicago-area expressways from Saturday evening into early Sunday, with 33 of those crashes injuring people, according to the Sun-Times. Troopers aided 71 stranded drivers.

Most roads showed partial snow or ice cover, per the Illinois Department of Transportation map. Highs on Sunday topped out around 20 degrees, with gusty winds dropping the feels-like temperature. Overnight wind chills are expected to hit minus-20 to minus-25, triggering a Cold Weather Advisory into Monday, the Sun-Times reports.

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According to WGNTV,sSnow totals are expected to stay modest: 1 to 3 inches in most spots, and up to 4 to 5 inches near the lake with heavy lake-effect bands. Advisories vary—until 6 p.m. for much of Chicagoland, later in northwest Indiana counties like Lake and Porter through Monday midnight.

City officials urge staying off roads unless essential. Drivers should slow down and allow extra time in heavier snow. The storm has hit much of the eastern U.S., the Sun-Times reported, canceling over 11,000 flights nationwide.

Warming centers offer refuge

Chicago's Department of Family & Support Services has opened warming spots amid the freeze. The Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie is open through 8 p.m. Sunday. Monday-Friday sites include Englewood, Garfield, Dr. Martin Luther King, North Area, South Chicago, and Trina Davila centers, all 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Sun-Times says.

Seniors can use 21 DFSS senior centers; call 311 for after-hours help or emergency shelter, WGNTV says. Chicago Public Libraries, parks, police districts, and city colleges also serve as warming facilities during hours. Cook County lists more options outside the city at CookCountyIL.gov.