Frigid Wind Chills to Hit Chicago After Snowfall Misses Majorly

Frigid wind chills will hit Chicago after a couple of rounds of snow Wednesday blanketed the area and made for messy commutes throughout the night.

Underwhelming Snowfall Totals

About 2 inches of snow was reported in areas throughout the city late Wednesday. The northern and western suburbs got the most snowfall, with the highest reports at 4 inches in Oak Brook Terrace and Wauconda, the National Weather Service said.

Thursday’s Forecast: Sunshine and Bitter Cold

Thursday should have more sunshine, but temperatures are expected to reach a high of 17, a low of -1, and wind chills between 5 degrees and -5, ABC7 reported.

More Snow on the Way

On Friday, there’s a 30% chance of snow during the day, with a high around 29 and wind chills at -2. By Friday night, there’s a 90% chance of snow. That’s followed by a 70% chance of snow on Saturday, which could turn to rain, the weather service said.

Why the Snow Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

A shift in Wednesday’s storm toward the northwest made for underwhelming snowfall totals in a storm that was billed as Chicago’s most significant snowfall of the season. Warmer than expected temperatures also caused the snow to dissipate, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Kluber said.

“The snow wasn’t initially as fluffy, so it ended up kind of like a double hit there, where you’re not getting as much precipitation, and then the snow is wetter, so it’s denser and doesn’t accumulate and become fluffy as much,” Kluber said.

Hyde Park residents make their way on foot as a snowstorm bears down on the Chicago area on Wednesday.

Flight Delays and Cancellations

The weather service upgraded its alert from a winter storm watch to a winter weather advisory for some areas of Illinois and northwest Indiana, and it remains in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday.

At O’Hare International Airport as of 10 p.m. Wednesday, 140 flights had been canceled and 1,116 more were delayed, according to FlightAware. At Midway, 43 flights were canceled and 134 were delayed.

A Hyde Park sidewalk is shoveled. Most of Chicago saw 2 inches of snow on Wednesday. Four inches of snow were reported in Oak Brook Terrace and Wauconda.

Residents Share Their Thoughts on the Snow

Ryan Jacobi, 40, walked over to the school to pick up his first-grader Gilbert. The 6-year-old was excited for the snow because it meant he could do one of his favorite winter chores: shoveling snow.

“I only wish there was more snow so I could shovel more,” Gilbert said. “Actually, I’m going to go do that right now.”

His father said they might head to Portage Park later in the evening to possibly go sledding.

Like any Chicagoan, Ryan Jacobi knows that the winters in the city are the price residents pay for the glory of the summer months.

He urged neighbors to help each other through the sometimes harsh winter weather.

“We’ll be swimming in the pool before we know it, just the home stretch here for the next couple of months,” Jacobi said. “We’re all in it together, help each other out.”

In Pilsen about 3 p.m., kids laughed as they tossed snowballs at each other’s backs along 18th Street on their way home from school.

“I’m enjoying today,” said Brian Flores, who was out shoveling snow from the sidewalk in front of the Little Italy butcher shop Nea Agora, where he works. “I’ve always liked the snow, and I don’t mind having to clean up. I find it peaceful.”

Flores said Wednesday’s snowstorm reminded him of his first Chicago winter more than 12 years ago.

“It doesn’t snow like it used to back in the day,” Flores said. “I remember a time where you couldn’t even leave your house, so this is nothing.”