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- Nov 11, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
12/1/2025 - Chicago Buried Under Record-Breaking November Snowstorm, Travel Chaos Ensues
CHICAGO, Ill. — A ferocious early-season snowstorm slammed into the Midwest this weekend, delivering a historic blow to the Chicago area and shattering long-standing weather records in the process.The National Weather Service confirmed Sunday that 8.7 inches of snow blanketed O’Hare International Airport on Saturday, marking the snowiest November day in Chicago since records began in 1871 and easily eclipsing the previous single-day November record of 7.5 inches set back in 1895.
The powerful low-pressure system, fueled by an arctic air mass plunging south from Canada, caught many residents and travelers off guard with its intensity. Heavy, wet snow began falling Friday evening and continued through much of Saturday, accompanied by gusty winds that created near-whiteout conditions on roadways and runways alike.
The storm’s timing could hardly have been worse, coinciding with one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. At O’Hare and Midway airports combined, more than 70 flights were canceled and hundreds more faced significant delays on Saturday as crews worked around the clock to clear runways and de-ice aircraft.
“It was absolute mayhem,” said traveler Maria Gonzalez, who spent six hours stranded at O’Hare waiting for a delayed flight to Denver. “The snow just kept coming down, and every time they thought they had a gate cleared, another band of heavy snow moved in.”
Illinois State Police reported dozens of spin-outs and jack-knifed semitrailers across interstates 80, 90, and 94, while the Illinois Department of Transportation deployed over 400 snowplows in a frantic effort to keep major arteries open.
By Sunday morning, the worst of the storm had pushed east into Indiana and Michigan, leaving behind frigid temperatures in the teens and a city digging out from its most memorable November snowfall in 150 years.
Forecasters warn that sub-freezing temperatures through the week will turn slushy streets into sheets of ice, urging residents to allow extra travel time and caution.For a city accustomed to brutal winters, this record November blast served as an abrupt reminder that in Chicago, winter can arrive early—and with a vengeance.
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Winter Storm Batters Chicago: Over 800 Flights Canceled, Stranding Thousands in Post-Thanksgiving Travel Nightmare
Chicago, IL – November 29, 2025 A ferocious winter storm slammed into the Midwest on Saturday, unleashing heavy snow and biting winds that crippled air travel at Chicago's bustling airports. More than 800 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport alone, with the total disruptions across O'Hare and Midway International Airport surpassing 1,000 by midday, according to flight-tracking data from FlightAware. The cancellations come at the worst possible time, as millions of Americans scramble to return home after Thanksgiving, turning what should have been a smooth holiday coda into a chaotic scramble for alternatives.
The storm, which dumped over three inches of snow on O'Hare by early afternoon, is expected to intensify through the evening, with peak snowfall rates projected between noon and 8 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Chicago area, effective until 6 a.m. Sunday, forecasting up to 10 inches of accumulation in some spots and near-whiteout conditions that could render roads "dangerous to nearly impossible" for travel. "Expect conditions to continue to deteriorate," warned the NWS Chicago office in a morning update, advising motorists to exercise extreme caution amid slippery streets and reduced visibility.
At O'Hare, the world's busiest airport, the fallout was swift and severe. A ground stop was implemented early Saturday, halting all departures as plows and de-icing crews battled to keep runways operational. By late morning, 859 cancellations were logged at O'Hare, alongside average delays of 86 minutes for the few flights still airborne. Nearby Midway fared slightly better but wasn't spared: 76 flights were axed there, contributing to the city's overall tally of over 900 disruptions. Travelers, many laden with holiday luggage and frayed tempers, flooded terminals, forming snaking lines at customer service counters and rental car kiosks.
"This is a traveler's worst nightmare," said Sarah Jenkins, a Denver-bound passenger who spent four hours in a rebooking queue at O'Hare. "We thought the holiday rush was over, but now we're stuck watching snow pile up while our plans melt away." United Airlines, a major hub operator at O'Hare, issued a flexible travel waiver for affected routes, allowing passengers to reschedule without fees. American Airlines echoed the move, urging customers to check the United app or united.com for real-time updates. "We're working around the clock to minimize the impact," a United spokesperson told reporters.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation mobilized over 220 salt spreaders overnight, but the onslaught proved relentless. Commissioner Cole Stallard urged drivers to "allow enough time" for journeys, noting that even plowed arteries like the Kennedy Expressway were turning treacherous. Early reports from the Illinois State Police tallied dozens of minor crashes and spin-outs, with no major injuries confirmed by press time. Public transit users weren't immune either: A snowy scene unfolded outside the Berwyn Red Line station, where commuters bundled against the gale as flakes swirled like confetti from a grim party.
Meteorologists trace the storm's fury to a low-pressure system barreling across the Great Lakes, colliding with cold air masses to spawn what some are calling an "early-season nor'easter lite." While Chicago has seen its share of brutal winters, the timing—smack in the heart of post-Thanksgiving exodus—amplifies the misery. AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter described it as "bad news for travelers," predicting ripple effects that could delay flights nationwide as planes reroute around the chaos.
As the sun dipped low under a leaden sky, the question on every stranded soul's mind: When does it end? Forecasts offer a sliver of hope, with snow tapering off overnight and temperatures rebounding slightly by Sunday morning. But for now, Chicago's skies remain a no-fly zone, a stark reminder that even in the jet age, Mother Nature still calls the shots. Airlines and city officials are bracing for a marathon recovery effort, but with holiday lights twinkling mockingly in the distance, one thing's clear: This storm won't be forgotten anytime soon.
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Winter Storm Batters Southern Minnesota: Up to 10 Inches of Snow Forecast by Sunday, Travel Chaos Ensues
November 29, 2025 – 12:00 PM CST MANKATO, Minn. — A relentless winter storm is gripping southern Minnesota today, blanketing roads in heavy snow and prompting warnings of up to 10 inches of accumulation by early Sunday morning. As the system slowly marches eastward, authorities are urging residents to stay off the roads amid reports of crashes, spinouts, and plummeting visibility across the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for much of southern Minnesota, including key counties along the Interstate 90 corridor such as Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn, Martin, Nicollet, Rice, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan. Forecasters predict 6 to 10 inches of snow in these areas through late Saturday night, with the heaviest bands expected this afternoon and evening. Snowfall rates, while not extreme at around 0.5 inches per hour, will persist for hours, leading to significant buildup and hazardous driving conditions.
"Road conditions continue to deteriorate across southern Minnesota where snow amounts around 2 to 4 inches have fallen already," the NWS Twin Cities office reported in a midday update, highlighting slick highways like US-169 near Mankato and US-60 near Madelia. Crashes and spinouts have been reported from the Twin Cities metro all the way to the Iowa border, with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) deploying plows and urging drivers to check real-time conditions online.
Farther north, the Twin Cities area is under a winter weather advisory, with expectations of 2 to 5 inches—higher in the southern suburbs—through the evening. A sharp cutoff means totals drop off quickly north of Interstate 94, sparing northern Minnesota from the worst of the storm. Western Wisconsin, including Pierce and St. Croix counties, could see 4 to 6 inches as the system spills over.
Winds are a complicating factor, gusting up to 35 mph along I-90 this afternoon and evening, potentially whipping up powdery snow into drifts and further reducing visibility. "Blowing snow may create reduced visibility at times, mainly in open areas," the NWS cautioned, advising extra travel time and caution for evening commuters.
The storm kicked off Friday night in southwestern Minnesota, spreading north and east through Saturday morning. By midday, steady snow had filled back in across central and southern regions, with the bulk of additional accumulation—another 2 to 6 inches—slated for the afternoon in the hardest-hit zones. Relief is in sight: Snow is forecast to taper from west to east late tonight into early Sunday, with roads expected to improve by morning.
Live Updates from the Front Lines
12:30 PM CST: Slow-going on major routes as snow intensifies. MnDOT reports icy patches on I-35 in Faribault and US-14 in Mankato. Plow teams are active, but visibility is down to a half-mile in spots.
9:45 AM CST: Early morning totals of 2-4 inches already on the ground in southern counties. NWS urges checking 511mn.org for the latest.
Impacts Beyond the Roads: Schools in Rochester, Mankato, and Worthington dismissed early, while events like holiday markets in Albert Lea have been postponed. Airlines report delays at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport due to de-icing needs.
This early-season nor'easter-like system marks a stark reminder of Minnesota's unpredictable winters. As of late November, the Twin Cities had only recorded 3.1 inches of snow this season—until today. Looking ahead, Sunday highs will dip into the teens with wind chills in the single digits, and another light snow chance looms by week's end.Residents are advised to limit travel if possible, prepare emergency kits for any outings, and monitor updates from local authorities. For the full NWS forecast and hazard details, visit weather.gov. Stay safe, Minnesota—this storm isn't done yet.
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