Chicago

More Than 1,600 Flights Canceled at Chicago Airports As Dangerous Cold Continues

O'Hare Airport and Midway Airport report cancellations during the extreme cold

What to Know

  • Flight delays and cancellations continue to be reported at Chicago airports
  • More than half of arrivals and departures were canceled by Thursday morning at O'Hare
  • There are about 2,400 daily flight operations at O'Hare Airport on average and 500 at Midway

More than 1,600 flights were canceled at Chicago airports Thursday as life-threatening cold temperatures continued across the region. 

At O'Hare Airport, at least 1,444 cancellations and 38 delays were reported as of 7:40 a.m. CT. The cancellations represented more than half of the day's arrivals and departures, according to Flightaware.com

At Midway Airport, 254 cancellations were reported. Delays at both airports were under 15 minutes for flights still operating, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. 

The entire Chicago area was under a Wind Chill Warning beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. through Thursday at 12 p.m.

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After record-breaking low temperatures the day before, Thursday began with brutal cold once again. Temperatures were between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees, with wind chill readings of 35 to 45 degrees below zero. 

The afternoon was expected to be less bitter as skies turn overcast before light snow develops after 3 or 4 p.m. in the far west and southwest counties. 

The snow was expected to spread east across the metro area through the evening, likely impacting the commute. Afternoon temperatures will slowly climb to between zero and minus 10 degrees, eventually reaching the single digits late evening. 

Record-breaking and life-threatening cold hit the area overnight, with morning lows of -15 to -25 degrees with chill values between -45 to -55 with -60 possible.

There are about 2,400 daily flight operations at O'Hare Airport on average and 500 at Midway, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

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