Brace yourself, Chicagoans – winter's not done playing tricks yet! As our beloved city shakes off the remnants of a massive snowstorm, more fluffy white trouble is on the horizon, threatening to turn your Monday commute into a slippery adventure. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Mother Nature just having a laugh, or are we underestimating how these storms disrupt our lives? Stick around to dig deeper into the details that could make or break your day.
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O'Hare, Midway battling back from weekend chaos triggered by heavy winter snowfall
Monday, December 1, 2025 2:31PM
Keep an eye on the latest 7-day forecast courtesy of the ABC7 Weather team.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- With the Windy City still recovering from a fierce weekend blizzard that blanketed the region in several inches of snow, forecasters are predicting additional snowfall to hit on Monday afternoon. This ongoing saga underscores how unpredictable winter can be, especially for those navigating daily routines in a city where weather often dictates the pace of life.
For beginners tuning in, a Winter Weather Advisory is essentially a heads-up from meteorologists warning of potentially hazardous conditions like snow, ice, or freezing rain. It doesn't always mean a full shutdown, but it's a signal to prepare – think bundling up extra layers and checking road conditions before heading out. In this case, the advisory kicks in from 2 p.m. until midnight, advising caution as light snow moves in.
ABC7 Accuweather Meteorologist Tracy Butler explains that early Monday afternoon should see light snow arriving, with most areas accumulating anywhere from one to three inches on top of what fell over the weekend. This extra layer could complicate things further, turning already tired roads into even more treacherous paths. And this is the part most people miss: Even a couple of inches can feel like a mountain when you're dealing with compacted snow from prior storms, so don't dismiss it as minor.
But before the snow even starts, Monday morning commuters might face fog and black ice – those sneaky, invisible hazards that can make driving feel like a game of chance. Reports have already surfaced of icy conditions on I-355, leading to multiple vehicle crashes and spinouts. For anyone new to these terms, black ice forms when water freezes into a thin, transparent layer on roads, often invisible until it's too late. It's a perfect example of why winter driving requires heightened awareness, and perhaps some wonder why roads aren't treated more proactively in areas prone to such issues.
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The fresh snowfall follows a weekend storm that dropped significant amounts across the region, with O'Hare Airport recording 8.4 inches on Saturday alone – marking it as the snowiest November day in Chicago's history, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). This historical tidbit highlights how extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, sparking debates about climate change's role in intensifying winter storms. Is this a one-off fluke, or a sign of broader environmental shifts? What do you think – should cities like Chicago invest more in climate-resilient infrastructure?
O'Hare, Midway recovering from weekend cancellations
After enduring over 1,300 flight cancellations between O'Hare and Midway over the weekend due to the storm, officials are scrambling to normalize operations. As of 5 a.m. Monday, O'Hare had tallied 50 cancellations, while Midway reported none – a small victory, but one that leaves many travelers crossing their fingers for smoother skies ahead.
The Federal Aviation Administration noted that on Sunday, departures from O'Hare were averaging nearly an hour late because of snow or ice buildup, with outgoing flights delayed by about 15 minutes. Travelers shared harrowing tales, like Fran Reynolds, who described a nightmare journey involving stops in Denver and hours stranded on the tarmac, only to face continued postponements.
"We had to stop in Denver and that is when we heard our cancellation had just gotten later and later and later and later," Reynolds recounted. "I think we were probably an hour-and-a-half on the runway here."
These stories paint a vivid picture of the frustration airports face during winter upheavals, raising questions about whether current de-icing protocols and staffing are adequate. Controversially, some might argue that airlines should plan better for seasonal weather patterns, prioritizing passenger experience over profits. Others might counter that unpredictable storms are simply part of living in a cold climate. Where do you stand – should there be stricter regulations for winter travel disruptions?
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What are your thoughts on Chicago's winter preparedness? Do you agree that more needs to be done to handle snowstorms, or is this just the price we pay for our beautiful but brutal seasons? Share your opinions in the comments below – let's discuss!
