Feeling like you woke up in a winter wonderland? Well, you weren't wrong! Chicago experienced its snowiest November day EVER, and the numbers are truly astonishing. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday shattered all previous records.
The city saw a significant amount of snowfall, with some areas buried under over 8 inches of the white stuff. O'Hare International Airport reported a whopping 8.4 inches by Sunday morning, while Midway wasn't far behind with 6 inches.
But the storm didn't just pack a punch; it lingered. The winter weather advisory was extended from 6 a.m. to noon Sunday, with meteorologist Zachary Yak noting a band of snowfall moving across Chicago, adding a quick coating. He predicted the storm system would finally clear up around noon.
And this is the part most people miss... Saturday's snowfall wasn't just record-breaking for a single day; it was the snowiest November day since November 6, 1951, which also saw 8 inches. Furthermore, the 8.4-inch count obliterated the daily snowfall record for November 29th, which was previously set in 1942 with only 3 inches.
But here's where it gets controversial... The storm wreaked havoc on travel, both on the roads and in the air. The Illinois State Police reported nearly 500 car crashes on Chicago-area expressways between 5 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Saturday. State troopers responded to 480 crashes, with 66 resulting in injuries. They also assisted about 300 motorists who needed help on the road.
Adding to the chaos, over 1,300 flights were canceled at Chicago airports on Saturday. As of Sunday morning, O'Hare had reported 230 cancellations, while Midway had 8, with an average delay of less than 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.
What do you think about this unusual weather event? Do you believe climate change is playing a role? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
