Chicago O’Hare Grapples with Hundreds of Cancellations After Record‑Breaking Snowfall
Updated (4 articles)
Record 8.4‑Inch Snowfall Triggers Immediate Airport Chaos The storm dumped 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday, shattering the previous November record of 8 inches set in 1951 [1]. By early Sunday O’Hare’s runways were covered in a deep white blanket, forcing ground crews to begin extensive snow‑removal and de‑icing operations [2]. Travelers crowded terminals as gates filled, while access roads remained clogged despite snow‑plow activity [1].
O’Hare Cancellations and Delays Surge Across the Nation FlightAware data show roughly 300 O’Hare departures and arrivals canceled and about 1,600 delayed by Sunday evening [1]; CNN reported 280 cancellations and 1,300 delays at the same airport [2]. Nationwide, more than 700 flights were scrubbed and over 9,400 delayed, with some outlets counting up to 900 cancellations and nearly 15,000 delays across the United States [2][3]. The variation reflects differing reporting windows—AP focused on the first 24 hours, while CNN and Newsweek included the full weekend tally.
Spillover Incidents Disrupt Regional Travel Networks Delta Connection jet slid off the icy runway at Des Moines International, prompting a temporary closure that lasted until the afternoon with no injuries [1][2][3]. Indiana experienced a massive pileup on I‑70 near Terre Haute, closing the highway for six hours after more than 40 vehicles collided [4]. Road congestion persisted around O’Hare, and power outages affected over 6,000 customers in Wisconsin, complicating recovery efforts [1].
Arctic Air and Upcoming Storms Extend Travel Turmoil The storm’s backside will usher Arctic air, pushing temperatures 15‑20 °F below normal and keeping lows in the single digits across the Midwest [2]. Meteorologists warn of another winter system early next week, with additional snow, freezing rain, and severe weather possible from the Appalachians to the interior Northeast [4]. Airlines and airports continue urging passengers to monitor real‑time updates as operations gradually resume [3].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
AP: Chicago O’Hare Faces Hundreds of Flight Cancellations and Delays After Record‑Setting Snowstorm: Highlights the record 8.4‑inch snowfall, 300 cancellations, 1,600 delays, nationwide de‑icing, Wisconsin power outages, and a Delta slide in Des Moines .
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[2]
CNN: Midwest Winter Storm Disrupts Post‑Thanksgiving Travel, 700 Flights Canceled: Emphasizes over 700 total U.S. cancellations, 280 O’Hare cancellations, 1,300 delays, the Des Moines runway incident, a fatality in Minnesota, and the impending Arctic cold .
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[3]
Newsweek: Winter Storm Causes Thousands of Flight Delays and Hundreds of Cancellations Across U.S.: Reports at least 900 cancellations and 15,000 delays nationwide, over 1,300 O’Hare cancellations, the Des Moines runway closure, Indiana pileup, and ongoing advisory warnings .
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[4]
AP: Midwest Snowstorm Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel, Forecasts More Winter Weather: Focuses on heavy snowfall across the Midwest, hour‑long delays at Chicago and St. Louis airports, I‑70 closure near Terre Haute, local law‑enforcement cautions, and forecasts of additional winter storms early next week .
Timeline
Nov 26, 2025 – A 69‑year‑old man dies in Alden Township, Minnesota when a snow‑laden tree falls during the storm’s high‑wind phase, highlighting the lethal danger the system poses beyond travel disruptions. [1]
Nov 27, 2025 – The winter system moves into the Rocky Mountains and then spreads east across the Midwest, triggering winter‑weather alerts for roughly 49 million people and setting the stage for record snowfall and widespread travel chaos. [1]
Nov 28, 2025 – Heavy snow blankets northern Iowa, Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, with more than 8 inches accumulating in some locations; Thanksgiving travelers face hour‑long delays at Chicago and St. Louis airports, while I‑70 near Terre Haute shuts for about six hours after a 45‑vehicle pileup, underscoring the storm’s immediate impact on holiday mobility. [4]
Nov 28, 2025 – Grant County Sheriff Del Garcia urges residents to stay off the roads and enjoy indoor activities, a public‑safety appeal that reflects local officials’ attempts to curb further accidents amid the blizzard. [4]
Nov 29, 2025 – Chicago O’Hare records 8.4 inches of snow, the highest single‑day November total in the airport’s history, surpassing the 8‑inch record set in 1951 and triggering massive operational strain. [3]
Nov 29, 2025 – A Delta Connection jet slides off an icy runway at Des Moines International Airport, forcing a runway closure that lasts into the following day; no injuries are reported, but the incident illustrates how icy surfaces cripple regional hubs. [1][3]
Nov 30, 2025 – Nationwide, at least 900 flights cancel and nearly 15,000 delay as the storm’s backside brings Arctic air; O’Hare alone logs over 1,300 cancellations and a ground stop, while a 40‑vehicle pileup in Indiana adds to road chaos, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a winter advisory for the Mid‑Atlantic and Northeast. [2]
Nov 30, 2025 – By early Sunday evening, O’Hare’s disruption deepens to roughly 300 flight cancellations and 1,600 delays; de‑icing operations spread to airports such as Reagan National and MSP, and Wisconsin experiences over 6,000 power outages, indicating the storm’s cascading effects on infrastructure. [3]
External resources (3 links)
- https://x.com/dsmairport/status/1995185310217507001?s=46 (cited 1 times)
- https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today (cited 1 times)
- https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/KORD (cited 1 times)