After a deep chill for nearly three weeks, the Chicago area finally experienced higher temperatures Sunday, but along with it came another round of wet and heavy snow.
Temps rose above freezing just before noon, marking the first time Chicago has climbed above 32 degrees since Feb. 4, the National Weather Service said.
Snowfall began in the afternoon but tapered off Sunday night. As of 9:30 p.m., O’Hare International Airport recorded just under an inch of new snow and Midway International Airport saw less than a quarter of an inch, according to the weather service.
At 9:30 p.m., Midway reported 73 flight cancellations and O’Hare reported 20, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Both airports reported flight delays averaging less than 15 minutes.
[6:05 PM 2/21/2021] Additional precipitation is pushing into our I-39 counties: snow along/north of I-88 and rain farther to the south. Be prepared for reduced visibilities, snow/slush covered roadways, and slick travel as this additional snow moves eastward. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/lIHZWhnlY4
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 22, 2021
The good news is temperatures should climb after the snowy system moves through the area, forecasters said.
Monday’s high is expected to be near 36 degrees, but the area could experience wind gusts upwards of 30 mph, forecasters said. Tuesday and Wednesday should feel less like winter, as temperatures climb temperatures closer to 40.
