Hundreds of flights canceled at Chicago airports as winter storm sweeps through area
More than 600 flights were canceled at Chicago airports Saturday as a winter storm bringing up to 10 inches of snow was expected to sweep through the area.
As of late Saturday morning, 817 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport, and 76 flights were canceled at Midway International Airport, according to the city's Department of Aviation.
Additionally as O'Hare, departure delays as of 11 a.m. were reported to be 16 minutes to 30 minutes, and averaging 1 hours 55 minutes (and increasing) due to snow and ice, according to FlightAware. Inbound flights at O'Hare are delayed at their origin an average of 5 hours, according to the site.
A ground delay was also issued at O'Hare with some flights delayed by more than five hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Snow continues to spread across the area and is accumulating on roads. Expect conditions to continue to deteriorate through the afternoon with peak snow rates expected between 12 PM and 8 PM today. If traveling use caution and be prepared for slippery travel! #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/z6FpyDCl9a
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) November 29, 2025
A winter storm warning was issued from 3 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday by the National Weather Service. The Chicago area is expected to see 5 to 9 inches of snow when it's all over.
Snowfall was expected to intensity throughout Saturday, making roads hazardous.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed more than 220 salt spreaders overnight in response to the storm.
Crews would continue to work into the morning, monitoring arterial streets, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and bridges and overpasses, to ensure roads are safe and passable for emergency vehicles, public transportation and other travelers, the agency said.
As of midday Chicago police and fire spokespersons reported no major weather-related incidents though Pacific Gardens Mission representative Nick Bustillo told the Sun-Times they have had a “100 percent” uptick in people needing their help in the storm.
The mission, in the city’s West Loop neighborhood at 1458 S. Canal St., has 877 beds but if they are filled, mats are placed in the facility's auditorium and chapel to help those in need. They're not at capacity yet, he said, but are "getting close."
"People are calling and wanting to come in because the weather is pretty bad," Bustillo said.
Additionally, Bustillo said for the first time in the mission's decades-long history, they have canceled Saturday events due to the inclement weather.
"We don't want someone to drive in here and have an accident," Bustillo said.
Representatives from the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) could not be reached immediately.
Weather clearing tools to help with icy sidewalks and driveways are still available on the city's Northwest Side's Ave Hardware in Edgebrook,5423 W Devon Ave.
Cashier Dylan Yale says they’ve had a few people calling about snow blowers, though no sales Saturday.
“Yeah pretty much everyone’s been in here for salt. Usually people just buy one 40 pound bag or two,” Yale said.
“We’ve sold a couple shovels but people around here already have them,” Yale added.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.