Chicago winter storm: frigid temps persist ahead of Christmas weekend

While the snow has been over for some time in Chicago and dangerous cold is now the story, a winter storm warning remains in effect for the entire Chicago area until 6 a.m. Saturday. A blizzard warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday for Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana and for west and southwest Michigan.

Lake-enhanced light snow persists for Northwest Indiana, with strong winds still blowing the snow.

Meanwhile, the bitter cold was not to be underestimated in Chicago Friday night. At 10 p.m., it was -2 in Chicago with a wind chill making it feel like -24.

The wind chill in Aurora was -30 at 10 p.m. Wind chills are not expected to change overnight.

Winds were gusting at 41 mph at Midway International Airport Friday night, 39 at Aurora, 36 at O'Hare and Valparaiso, and 30 at Waukegan and McHenry. So even though the winter alerts expire at 6 a.m., blowing and drifting snow will persist on Saturday.

It will be 10 degrees with a wind chill of -8 when the Bears kick off against the Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve.

In brutal wind chills as the Chicago area was experiencing Friday night, it only takes about 10 minutes of being exposed outside before it becomes extremely dangerous to your body.

CBS 2's Marybel González spoke to some doctors on what you can do to stay safe.

There's cold – and then there's bitter cold. Subzero air temperatures with double-digit negative wind chills constitute the latter – and it's dangerous.

"These are dangerously unsafe conditions," said emergency medicine physician Dr. George Chiampas. "Be prepared."

Chiampas said right now is not a time to let your guard down.

"Try to keep it to a minimum of about 5 to 10 minutes where you're actually exposing yourself to these temperatures, secondly, if you are planning on being outside," he said.

Layering while outside is also a must.

"That means make you're wearing a hat, make sure you're covering even your face, having gloves," Chiampas said.

Chiampas also warns that you can get frostbite now, and not see it for days later,

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Some of Chicago's homeless checked into a hotel Friday night to escape the brutal and dangerous subzero cold. It was all thanks to one man whose good deed may save lives.

Jermaine Jordan is proving what it means to give a helping hand. Video showed Jordan assisting a man out of his tent.

Jordan said frostbite caused that man to have some of his fingers amputated.

As the dangerous cold has ripped through Chicago, Jordan has scoured so-called tent cities and train platforms looking to help the homeless get out of the cold and into a warmer safer place

"Getting our beloved homeless, and getting them food, and getting them to a nice warm hotel," Jordan said.

These people who took Jordan up on his offer were cold, but grateful. The money for the effort comes primarily from donations raised online.

"It's been really, really cold out there," said Lisa Esterdahl, who is experiencing homelessness. "My hands get numb. My toes get numb. I've been having to sleep on the L's."

"I just want to take a shower," said Lisa Piet, who is also experiencing homelessness. "This is my first time reaching out for help - and I got very, very lucky - because this is horrible weather – horrible."

After being treated to a warm meal, more than 60 people who originally planned to spend the night on the streets in this dangerous weather will instead spend the next week in a warm hotel. 

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Drivers said their travel times nearly doubled, and they were trying their best to maneuver the holiday havoc.

"We're coming from Valpo, so we're on the expressway – had a lady in a ditch we tried to help get out. She ended up actually breaking her axle trying to get her out. There's a semi turned over on the other side of the expressway, 80, heading south," said William Asbell of Portage, Indiana. "So we're heading home now. We just stopped and got Subway. It's just terrible – ice everywhere, dangerous conditions."

Indiana State Police are dealing with so many accidents it's hard to track. 

Read more

Numerous Amtrak trains departing Chicago were delayed Friday evening due to weather conditions.

Amtrak reported at least one delay among Hiawatha trains to Milwaukee; Wolverine trains to Pontiac, Michigan; and Blue Water trains to Port Huron, Michigan – and multiple delays for Illini trains to Carbondale.

CHECK: Amtrak updates

Metra BNSF Train 2023 from Union Station to Aurora, and Train 2026 from Aurora to Union Station, were also delayed due to unspecified mechanical failures earlier Friday evening.

CHECK: Metra updates

From city workers to homeowners digging out, some don't have an option when it comes to not being outdoors.

With the extreme cold, experts are issuing extreme warnings, urging those to take all safety precautions during the extreme cold. CBS 2's Andrew Ramos spoke to experts on what those outside need to know.

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon says the Chicago area will warm up, slightly, this weekend. Saturday should see a high of 10 degrees and into the 20s by Sunday.

Early Friday evening in the deep freeze, traffic on the core expressways of Chicago was not so bad.

However, south of Chicago, a jackknifed semi had both lanes of northbound I-57 blocked past Wilmington-Peotone Road.

In Northwest Indiana, eastbound I-94 near Chesterton and southbound I-65 near Lowell remained closed for an overturned tanker and jackknifed semi, respectively.

As of 5 p.m. Michigan State Police reported I-94 between Berrien and Calhoun counties has reopened, but conditions remained poor.

In Fort Wayne, Indiana State Police reported a 12-car pile-up on Interstate 69. Ten vehicles – including nine cars and an Indiana Department of Transportation snow plow – were all involved in collisions in the northbound lanes of the interstate. Two other cars swerved to avoid hitting any other vehicles, but ended up in the ditch off the road.

Only three injuries were reported.

Indiana State Police said the primary cause of the chain of events was speed.

Icy roads were also to blame for a pile-up involving at least nine cars in Rockford.

The Chicago Bears will take on the Buffalo Bills at noon on Saturday in what is set to be one of the coldest games to ever take place at Soldier Field.

Some tickets are selling for less than $10. CBS 2's Jackie Kostek went to Soldier Field to see how the stadium and broadcast crews are gearing up.

When the extreme winter weather hit earlier this week, Soldier Field's Luca Serra felt one thing: Panic.

But on the eve of game day, crews from Soldier Field and CBS Sports are no longer panicking. They're preparing.

"This one will go down as one of our coldest," Serra said.

For the full story, click here.

As of 5 p.m. on Friday, 511 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport. 

At Midway International Airport, 310 flights were canceled.

Commuters using the South Shore line will have to find a different way to travel on Friday. Service is halted in both directions as mechanical issues and the frigid temps made impossible to transport commuters.

CHICAGO (CBS)-- A winter storm warning remains in effect through Saturday morning through most of the Chicago area, as dangerously cold temperatures, strong winds, and blowing snow will persist overnight.

A blizzard warning also remains in effect through Saturday morning for La Porte County and Porter County in northwest Indiana.

Our Arctic blast continues tonight with lows below zero areawide and wind chills as cold as -30°.  Frost bite can happen in as little as ten to 20 minutes, so you will want to limit outdoor exposure. 

Winds will be gusty, so drifting and blowing snow will be possible through Saturday.

Highs on Saturday will be in the single digits and low teens. Wind Chills as cold as -30° in the morning, then -5° to -15° in the afternoon.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and cold. Highs in the low teens and wind chills just below zero. There's a chance of light snow showers Sunday night with lingering flurries into Monday.

Highs will be in the 20s Monday and Tuesday, then increasing into the 40s by midweek with rain chances late in the week.

TONIGHT: Dangerously cold with blowing and drifting snow overnight. Low -1°, with wind chills -20 to -30 degrees.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy and breezy. Some blowing snow. High 10°, wind chills of -5 to -15 degrees.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny skies. High 12°, wind chills of -1 to -10 degrees.

Separate crashes have blocked portions of Interstate 94 and Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana on Friday, as frigid temperatures and high winds are causing dangerous driving conditions.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 94 in northwest Indiana are blocked near Chesterton, after a semi tanker truck crashed and rolled over amid snowy and windy conditions, according to Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police said a tanker truck rolled over shortly before noon in the eastbound lanes of I-94 west of the State Road 49, near Chesterton. All eastbound lanes were blocked.

The tanker was carrying sodium hydroxide, prompting a hazardous materials response before the truck can be removed from the road. Drivers who normally use I-94 are advised to seek alternate routes.

The cause of the crash is unknown, but a coating of snow was visible on the interstate at the time, and CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon reports wind gusts as strong as 60 mph were being reported Friday afternoon in nearby Gary, Indiana.

In addition, I-94 is closed in Michigan at the Niles exit, due to multiple crashes and the weather, so Indiana State Police said drivers should avoid eastbound I-94 heading into Michigan. Police said it's unlikely I-94 will be reopen anytime soon.

Meantime, around 10:15 a.m., a truck crash on I-65 near Lowell left all southbound lanes blocked for several hours, before yet another crash around 3 p.m., involving multiple vehicles and a semi, blocked all southbound lanes of I-65 in the same area.

Indiana State Police are asking drivers to avoid the interstates.

As of 12:30 p.m. Friday, 426 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport. 

At Midway International Airport, 304 flights were canceled.

Here's a sampling snow totals reported to the National Weather Service as of Friday morning:  

• La Porte, Ind. - 8.7 inches
• Porter, Ind. - 5.4 inches
• Chesterton, Ind. - 4 inches
• West Ridge (Chicago) - 3 inches
• Chicago Ridge - 2.5 inches
• Evanston - 2.5 inches
• Peotone - 2.5 inches
• Palatine - 2.4 inches
• Oak Park - 2.4 inches
• Romeoville - 2.3 inches
• Batavia - 2.1 inches
• Aurora - 2 inches
• Midway Airport - 1.6 inches
• O'Hare Airport - 1.1 inches

Get more snow totals from the National Weather Service here.

From the suburbs to the city, we're seeing how folks are handling the big chill, with temperatures below zero, and wind chills as cold as -40 overnight.

We spoke with some people on their Friday commute at the Belmont station on the Red Line, as temperatures lingered around -6.

JT Phillis said it's the coldest Christmastime he's experienced in 20 years.

"I've been in Chicago like 20-plus years, and this is the coldest I think it's ever been," he said. "Bundling up. I've got three layers on top and bottom. So I'm just going to try and stay warm that way."

Beth Chen said she has lived in Chicago for more than 10 years, and agreed it hasn't been this cold in a long time, but she actually likes it.

"I mean, we would have all moved to Florida if we wanted to have four seasons of summer," she said.

While the cold is brutal, the city didn't get much in the way of snow, with the official total at O'Hare coming in at only 1.1 inches. According to the National Weather Service, 3 inches of snow fell in the West Ridge neighborhood, while 1.5 inches fell in the Douglas neighborhood.

Chicago's full fleet of 287 snow plows began plowing and salting the city's main streets and Lake Shore Drive on Thurdsay morning. At about 8 a.m. Friday, 200 of those trucks began clearing side streets.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, 391 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport. 

At Midway International Airport, 258 flights were canceled.

Check back for flight cancellation updates.

The extreme cold and high winds have been causing delays for the CTA and Metra, due to freezing switches and other equipment problems.

The biggest problem for the CTA was a switching problem at Midway, causing major delays for the Orange Line. Shuttle buses are operating between Pulaski and Midway, with trains in both directions running on the same track at Pulaski. Passengers must board all trains on the Midway-bound side of the Orange Line at Pulaski.

The CTA said it also was experiencing switch problems Friday morning at Rosemont on the Blue Line, causing minor delays as of 7 a.m. Switch problems at Barry also were causing minor delays on the Brown Line.

CTA buses also are still being rerouted away from DuSable Lake Shore Drive due to dangerous driving conditions from the wind and blowing snow.

Metra said switch problems were also causing delays on the Southwest Service, with train #812, scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 9 a.m., operating 35 to 40 minutes behind schedule.

On the Metra Electric, inbound and outbound University Park trains could be running 10 to 20 minutes late due to switch problems.

Metra passengers should check the rail service's website for service updates. CTA passengers should check the bus and train trackers to monitor service.

Chicago's snowplows are now clearing residential streets.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation has deployed more than 200 snow vehicles to begin clearing residential streets, while the rest of its fleet will continue focusing on main streets and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Salt spreaders have been clearing streets since Thursday morning. Slick road conditions are expected to continue throughout the day on Friday, and city officials urged drivers to take precautions while traveling.

You can follow the city's snow fleet in real-time by visiting chicagoshovels.org.

Supt. Jennifer "Sis" Killen of Cook County Transportation Department provides an update on how crews are operating to clear roads as temps reach double-digits below temps. 

Metra is running on a modified Saturday schedule today, but trains are running if you have to move around in the cold.

Spokesperson Meg Thomas-Reille provides an update on today's travel plans. 

Crunchy snow and slippery roads - that's what the ride to Northwest Indiana will look and feel like if you are today. INDOT crews are out early Friday morning making sure the roads are safe for anyone who has to be on them.

Cassandra Bajek from the Indiana Department of Transportation tells us what people can expect on the roads if they have to head out for some reason.

Outages reported by the company are updated every 15 minutes. 

CHICAGO (CBS) – The snow and wind conditions caused by Thursday's storm have left some ComEd customers experiencing power outages Friday. 

According to ComEd, there are 59 active outages with 2,391 customers affected as of Friday morning.

ComEd has served 4,070,206 customers in total. 

Customers can stay up to date with outages by using the ComEd app.

If you're experiencing an outage, you can also get real-time information by texting "OUT" to 26633.

To report a down powerline, call 1-800- EDISON-1. It is advised to stand clear of down wires and assume that they are electrified 

CBS 2's Sabrina Franza says she would "like to speak to the manager" about the frigid conditions in Michigan City, Indiana.

Franza said the high winds are causing blowing snow and very low visibility for drivers.

ComEd crews are working to restore power for nearly 850 people.

There are 17 reported active outages. 

Crews are battling dangerously cold temperatures will below zero wind chills. 

It's dangerously cold. CBS 2's Dave Savini is live in Naperville with updates on the frigid conditions. 

Savini tested the cold with a cup of water and his hot tea in his "Dave" cup. 

 As the snowfall wraps up, dangerous cold with blowing and drifting snow is expected.   

Wind chills are between -30 and -40 degrees early Friday. Frost bite can happen in as little as ten to 20 minutes, so you will want to limit outdoor exposure.  

Aside for the dangerously cold wind chills, icy roads and blowing snow is a threat to a commuters.   

As of late Thursday night, temperatures were below zero across the Chicago area – ranging from -1 in Lincoln Park and -2 in the Loop and Elmwood Park to as cold as -7 in Aurora.

Wind chills had dropped to -25 at Midway International Airport, -33 in Morris, -34 in McHenry, and -37 in Aurora and DeKalb.

The snow was over by 11 p.m. for most of northeastern Illinois. But snow banding persisted in Northwest Indiana – especially between Ogden Dunes and Michigan City, which were seeing lake enhancement. Blizzard warnings remained in place for Porter and LaPorte counties, as well as west and southwest Michigan.

Snow totals in northern sections of LaPorte County could still see a foot of snow.

Meanwhile, dangerous wind chills will persist for everyone overnight and on Friday. Here is what to expect for Friday:

4 a.m. to 7 a.m.: Turning more windy with some blowing snow. Reduced visibility. Snowing in La Porte and Porter County, but we're done with additional accumulation for the rest of the area.

 
7 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Windy with blowing snow and reduced visibility. Winds gusting to 50 to 55 mph. Blizzard like conditions in northwest IN.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Decreasing winds, but still some blowing and drifting.

Meanwhile, it will be around -6° at sunrise, with wind chills around -30 in Chicago. Locations to the west will be even colder. Frost bite will set in within less than 15 mins in some cases. Chills remain -20 to -30 all day Friday.

Despite the winter storm Thursday, the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg was plenty busy.

As CBS 2's Marybel González reported, hundreds braved the bitter cold to get some last-minute shopping wrapped up before the holiday weekend.

It was empty by 10 p.m., but right up until closing time, the parking lot for Woodfield and the ones surrounding the mall were packed with shoppers. Some of them said they didn't mind the conditions, while others said they underestimated just how cold it would be Thursday night.

People who work at Woodfield said it was the busiest day they have seen so far this week. But they are also bracing for more traffic this weekend. 

Read more

The winter storm and subsequent extreme cold made for difficult travel in the southwest suburbs Thursday night.

As CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported, drivers were being very careful on Cicero Avenue near 111th Street. Most of the snow was plowed off the road, only to be blown back in by strong and frigid winds.

The airstream in the southwest suburbs brought disrespectful wind gusts – making the roads in Oak Lawn less than pleasant. Most people who were out in it would not have chosen to be.

Police said they dealt with a few minor accidents – close to 10 or 15 throughout the evening. They are hoping people will take heed and give the plows enough time to clear the snow away, while realizing that it keeps blowing back on the roadways.  

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A trip to Northwest Indiana Thursday night was filled with snow-covered roads, cars inching along, plows trying to make a dent, and salt trucks giving it their best. At 10 p.m., flurries were still coming down – but the temperature drop to the subzero range was the greater concern.

City officials were particularly concerned about ice on the roads Thursday night.

But in downtown Whiting, Indiana, there was a winter wonderland of sorts – with a festive streetscape. Some businesses along 119th Street in Whiting have closed up early until after Christmas — and after the deep freeze thaws out. But some remained open.

The wind is also a major problem, as the plows have been making progress clearing the street – only for snow to blow right back onto it.

Whiting residents are reminded that 119th Street is an emergency plow route, and anyone who parks on it will be ticketed and towed.

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By 9:20 p.m., most of the snow was working its way out of Chicago, and only light areas of snow and flurries remained.

Many roads were still covered in snow.

The air temperature in the city of Chicago at 9 p.m. was -1, with gusty winds making it feel like -24.

The wind chill was making it feel like -31 in DeKalb as of 9:20 p.m.

By 7 a.m., the temperatures are expected to range from -5 to -8, with wind chills as low as -40.

In Northwest Indiana, lake effect snow will persist in northern Porter and LaPorte counties well into Friday.

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon breaks down the latest forecast as snowfall slows across Chicago but parts of Northwest Indiana still with blizzard warnings through the night.

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon breaks down the temps for how the cold the weekend will be.

CBS 2's Andrew Ramos visited the western suburbs on Thursday as the snow fall increased and temperatures dropped.

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon breaks down what to expect overnight and into Friday morning with dangerous wind chill temps. 

From Gary, Indiana, CBS 2's Noel Brennan reports how people are staying safe on the roadways, with stops at an area gas station where he met Carrie Stevens, who said she's used to the cold weather, but advises others to take care. 

CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports from Michigan City where it's getting colder by the minute and drifting snow is making treacherous for drivers in the area. 

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon says while the snow fall is slowing down, windchill temps are going into the double digits. 

A Village snow parking ban has been enacted in Northbrook. No vehicles may be parked on any public streets within the village – and those that are found parked on public streets will be subject to a $100 fine and towing.

The parking ban is in effect until snow clearing operations are complete. The village will send a notice when that happens.

In Elmhurst, street parking is also banned Thursday evening. The City of Elmhurst has 19 trucks on the road plowing the snow, and salting and plowing will continue around the clock until roadways are clear.

Residents are asked to help crews by keeping fire hydrants free of snow piles, and by refraining from blowing or shoveling snow onto city streets.

CBS 2's Noel Brennan reports from a Gary, Indiana Citgo station, where people are stopping to get gas, to scrape the ice off their windshields. Drivers were finding it difficult to even open their car doors. 

Gary resident Carrie Stevens lived in Chicago and said she was grateful her job let her out early on Thursday.

"The only thing I wanted the job to tell us was that we could leave early today, which they granted that. And the building will be closed tomorrow. So don't go downtown to the Daley Center tomorrow. They're not open."

Double and triple trailers for semi-trailer trucks are banned on the Indiana Toll Road.

The wind and snow the area was experiencing late Thursday are bad enough with one trailer. But two or more trailers and the mode of power upfront, it does not bode well for traction – especially if any kind of rise is involved.

The ban is in place until 11 p.m. Central time Saturday.

CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports from Michigan City where blowing snow from Lake Michigan, coupled with strong winds, is making it dangerous to be outdoors.

A truck hit a man out on the roadway on the Tri-State Tollway in Gurnee amid the winter storm Thursday afternoon.

In the late afternoon, Illinois State Police were called to southbound I-94 near Washington Street in Gurnee. The accident scene is at the southwest corner of where Six Flags Great America is located.

State police said a pedestrian had been driving earlier and had been involved in a two-vehicle crash. He was out of his car when a semi-trailer truck hit him.

The man was taken an area hospital with unspecified injuries.

CBS 2's Chris Tye spoke to one parent stuck at O'Hare International Airport as more than 500 flights have been cancelled there due to the winter storm.

CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has a look at what to expect over the next 24 to 48 hours.

A winter storm is covering the area in full force, as people are finishing up last-minute errands and trying to make their way home. 

In Michigan City, CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports the snow is blowing hard from the shores of Lake Michigan. People are advised not to go out unless they absolutely have to.   

CBS 2's Noel Brennan reporting from Gary, Indiana said the snowflakes are small but the winds are getting bigger moment by moment. He spoke to Gary resident Carrie Stevens who said the weather wasn't that bad, in her opinion.

"I'm used to this. It's OK. People who don't like it, stay in the house, stay warm, fix you some homemade soup, drink plenty of water and enjoy the movies," Stevens said.

While there's about an inch or two of snow on the ground, it's the falling temps that are affecting how people are making their way around town.

A pickup truck slid into a pond Thursday afternoon in northwest suburban Des Plaines.

It happened at Howard Avenue and Mount Prospect Road.

The truck had one person inside. Rescuers were able to get to that person out, and rush him or her to the hospital.

A dive team was able to get the truck out of the water.

As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 550 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport. 

At Midway International Airport, 254 flights were canceled.

With all those cancellations, CBS 2's Chris Tye found a relatively calm scene out at O'Hare Thursday afternoon.

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard said at 4:22 p.m., the city was catching a break when it came to snow – but roads were still slow amid the afternoon rush.

Numerous plows and salt trucks were deployed on DuSable Lake Shore Drive in an effort to keep it safe and clear for motorists.

"We're just asking people to give us patience through this evening commute," Stallard said.

While some businesses are closing early in Hyde Park due to a winter storm and dangerous cold weather, The Silver Room at 1506 E. 53rd St. is staying open. Owner Eric Williams said holiday shoppers are still going to be out regardless of the weather.

"It's been 25 years of The Silver Room, and people depend on us for last-minute gifts, and folks live in the neighborhood – they can walk a few blocks away. They have pickup orders. They've ordered online, they want to come pick up," Williams said. "So the phone's been ringing all day, and people seem to be out. Rain, sleet, or snow, we're going to be here for everybody."

CBS 2's Andrew Ramos headed out to Glen Ellyn where the winter storm was definitely not on the wish list for several small business owners who rely on this time of year for big business.

According to CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon, snowing and drifting snow is covering the area as temperatures continue to drop. Temperatures are starting to plummet as the winter storm ramps up

CBS 2's Noel Brennan reports people are traveling to get to their destinations on snowy roads.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports from Michigan City where stores closed early as snow, followed by very cold temps covered the area.

Snow was starting to stick around 3 p.m. on the Tri-State Tollway at the Lake Forest Oasis. The temperature there was 10 degrees at that point – but with a wind chill of minus 5.

Conditions were only getting worse.

The Lake Forest Oasis is a major spot for drivers to fill up with gas and get a snack, and businesses at the oasis appeared still to be open as of the mid-afternoon.

CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey asked some drivers if the winter storm was impacting their holiday plans.

"I hope to get home after dropping my daughter and her family off at the Chicago O'Hare Airport," said Wendy Mahlik of Green Bay, Wisconsin. "So hopefully not, but if I have to pull over, I have to pull over and stay overnight somewhere."

The CTA has begun rerouting buses away from Outer DuSable Lake Shore Drive, as the winter storm is causing dangerous driving conditions.

The following bus routes are being rerouted off of DuSable Lake Shore Drive:

• #2 Hyde Park Express
• #6 Jackson Park Express
• #14 Jeffery Jump
• #26 South Shore Express
• #28 Stony Island
• #134 Stockton/LaSalle Express
• #135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express
• #136 Sheridan/LaSalle Express
• #143 Stockton/Michigan Express
• #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express
• #147 Outer DuSable Lake Shore Express
• #148 Clarendon/Michigan Express

The CTA is advising commuters to check the agency's website for details on how each route will be affected.

Infamously, Lake Shore Drive was forced to shut down on Feb. 2, 2011, as Chicago was walloped by a blizzard that dumped a total of 21.2 inches in the city.

Blowing and drifting snow along Lake Shore Drive that day caused multiple accidents, and as the snow piled up, vehicles became stuck, and off-ramps became impassable.

Some people ended up being stranded for up to 12 hours before they were rescued. Some frustrated drivers simply got out of their vehicles and abandoned them in the middle of the Drive. Many cars ran out of gas, and were abandoned. A total of about 900 cars became stranded in whiteout conditions.

Several counties and suburbs are also responsible for countless roads we drive. CBS 2 was joined live by Jennifer "Sis" Killen, the superintendent of the Cook County Transportation Department to talk about how the county has been preparing.

Her team is responsible for clearing some 1,600 lane miles of pavement.

She said her department will have all of their assets dispatched with a 24-hour operation to handle the storm "until we have all of the roadways clear."

Snow fell hard and fast in the South Side's Hyde Park neighborhood Thursday afternoon, prompting some businesses to close early.

As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reported, sidewalks were covered in snow at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue around 3 p.m. Accumulation really began to pick up around 1:20 to 1:40 p.m.

Le Mignot measured half an inch of snow on the ground with her index finger.

With conditions deteriorating and temperatures also plummeting fast, the Sweetgreen at 1500 E. 53rd St. decided to close early. All the staff were allowed to go home at 3 p.m. Sweetgreen otherwise would have closed at 8 p.m.

Elsewhere in Hyde Park, the Museum of Science and Industry is closing at 4 p.m. due to the winter storm. Meanwhile, the University of Chicago is on winter break.

A blanket of snow didn't keep holiday shoppers from heading out in Naperville on Thursday ahead of the worst of the pre-Christmas winter storm.

Sara Machi talked to people about their plans to get in the stores before strong winds and bitter cold make for even more treacherous conditions.

People weren't exactly happy to be shopping in this weather, but wanted to plan ahead for what's still to come.

READ MORE

Hundreds of flights have been canceled at O'Hare and Midway airports, with the worst conditions of the winter storm still yet to come. CBS 2's Chris Tye is monitoring the situation at O'Hare.

Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has been tracking the winter storm all through the week. Steady snow is falling as of 3 p.m., significantly reducing visibility and slowing traffic. He has a look at what's ahead later today.

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl reported there have been "dozens and dozens" of accidents on Chicago area roadways amid the snowstorm Thursday afternoon.

Many of the crashes happened on suburban surface streets, while many others happened on the interstates. Habermehl said if all the crashes Thursday afternoon were plotted on a map, the roads on which they happened would not even be visible.

Speeds were extremely slow on area expressways as of 3 p.m. Traffic was moving only at 7 mph at the junction of the Kennedy and Edens expressways.

This was as conditions were deteriorating with snow and wind pickup and temperatures plummeting, all as forecast.

Illinois State Police have an emergency traffic plan in effect. Anyone who is involved in an accident on an expressway, if all vehicles are drivable and there are no injuries, should relocate off the roadway and exchange information from other drivers.

As the winter storm moves into NW Indiana, driving conditions on the Indiana Toll Road are rapidly diminishing. 

Traffic is moving for now, but the winds just began to pick up around 3 p.m., making visibility a challenge. 

The National Weather Service is advising drivers to get off the roads as the storm intensifies. 

A winter storm watch is in effect with dangerous conditions ahead. 

Conditions are expected deteriorate quickly throughout the day Thursday as snow develops. Snow began to ramp up by the mid- to late-morning, and will become widespread by the afternoon.   

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 9 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Saturday (Christmas Eve) for DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, and McHenry counties; from noon Thursday until 6 a.m. Saturday for Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kankakee, and Will counties; and from 3 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Saturday for Lake, Newton, and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana. A blizzard warning has been issue for Porter County, Indiana, from 3 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Saturday, where the combination of snow and strong winds will lead to dangerous to impossible travel conditions.

The building strong winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow will create dangerous conditions travelers.  

Snow totals can range from 2" to 4" with higher amounts of snow in Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana, where totals could exceed 6" due to lake enhancement. 

Temperatures continue to fall drastically to the single digits by late afternoon. Feels like temperatures will be below zero by late afternoon areawide.  

Crashing temperatures are expected to cause icy road conditions for afternoon commuters. Wind chills dropping to -15 to -30 degrees by Thursday night. A warning: frostbite can happen in as little as 15 to 20 minutes with wind chills this low. 

Snow chances decrease by late evening. Blowing and drifting snow continues Thursday night, producing dangerous travel conditions. Although new accumulation of snow may be minimal on Thursday overnight to Friday, gusty winds will continue to produce blowing and drifting through Saturday morning. Highs on Friday will be around zero, with wind chills -20 to -30 degrees. 

Hour by Hour:

Noon-3pm: Snow showers, some will be heavy. Temperatures fall from 30s to 20s to teens.

3pm-5pm: Widespread snow, but heaviest should be moving through NW Indiana. Temps fall to single digits, below zero wind chills.

5pm-7pm: Snow showers and temps continue to drop. Wind chills of -10 to -20 degrees by early evening.

7pm-10pm: Snow starts to decrease, but the winds start to crank up. Blowing snow causing reduced visibility. Incredibly cold, wind chills around -20 to -35 degrees.

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CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago Bears are set to play the Buffalo Bills at noon on Saturday at Soldier Field, even as frigid conditions are expected for anyone on the field or in the stands.

The gametime temperature is expected to be around 8 degrees, with a wind chill of around -10 degrees, according to CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon. It could be one of the coldest games ever played at Soldier Field.

The Bears released details on what fans brave enough to sit out in the cold can expect when they come to watch their team. Click here to get the full rundown of prohibited items, transportation changes and other important information.

Snow has started to ramp up across the Chicago area, as a winter storm is set to bring strong winds and plummeting temperatures. Mobile Weather Lab is checking out the roads in west suburban Aurora while Sabrina Franza is monitoring the weather in Michigan City, Indiana.

The first flakes have started falling in west suburban Glen Ellyn, where there are still a lot of people out and about enjoying the afternoon before the worst of the winter storm hits. CBS 2's Andrew Ramos has a look at conditions on the ground.

Facing a looming winter storm that is expected to bring blowing snow and frigid temperatures starting Thursday, the three Christkindlmarkets in the Chicago area will be closing early.

Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago and Christkindlmarket in Aurora will close at 4 p.m. Thursday,and remain closed on Friday and Saturday, meaning Thursday will be the last day to enjoy those two German-themed holiday markets.

Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way will be closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but plans to reopen on Monday, and will be open daily from Monday through New Year's Eve.

Winterland at Gallagher Way – which includes Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville and takes place partially on the ballfield at Wrigley Field – will also be closed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – but plans to reopen Monday.

Inside the ballpark right on the playing field, the also features carnival rides and games, the Gallagher Ice Rink and ice bumper cars, a lodge with hot and cold beverages, and a row of private chalets.

The Adler Planetarium will also be closed this weekend due to dangerous conditions.

Adler said in a statement:

"Due to forecasted snowy and blizzard-like weather conditions, along with dangerously cold temperatures in the Chicagoland area, and recognizing that the safety of our guests and staff are our highest priority, the Adler Planetarium will be closed for public business hours on Friday, December 23, and Saturday, December 24, 2022. We will also be closed as scheduled on Sunday, December 25, Christmas day."

The planetarium will reopen for its normal business hours on Monday, Dec. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lincoln Park Zoo will also be closed on Friday due to high winds and extreme cold, and the ZooLights festival will be canceled. ZooLights ticketholders are asked to check their email for more information.

Field Museum will close early on Thursday, at 2 p.m. and remain closed on Friday due to the storm, and will close at 3 p.m. on Saturday (Christmas Eve), with the last entry at 2 p.m. The museum will be closed on Sunday (Christmas Day) for the holiday, and will reopen for regular business hours on Monday.

Shedd Aquarium also will close early on Thursday, at 2 p.m., but has yet to announce any changes to its normal operating hours on Friday or Saturday. The aquarium will be closed for Christmas Day on Sunday.

The Chicago History Museum will also be closed Friday and Saturday due to the storm.

The Schaumburg Township District Library announced they're closing its Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Hanover Park locations at 2 p.m., and all will remain closed through the weekend. 

All three sites are expected to reopen during their normal hours on Monday, Dec. 26.  

As of 12 p.m. Thursday, 511 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport. 

At Midway International Airport, 244 flights were canceled.  

The winter storm coupled with holiday travel means your best-laid plans may be getting some last-minute adjustments.

If you're hitting the roads, we want to help you stay safe. 

Cassandra Bajek from the Indiana Department of Transportation shares with CBS 2 how they're preparing for the storm and offers advice for those who have to travel Thursday. 

The ice rink in Millennium Park will be closed Friday and Saturday. 

Officials said anyone with paid, reserved sessions on those dates will be issued a refund. 

Thursday, sessions are intended to remain. Organizers will provide updates on any changes during the storm. 

With 50 mile-per-hour winds expected during Thursday's winter storm, ComEd is preparing for power outages and damage throughout the area. 

ComEd is staffing up and bringing in crews from across the country ahead of the storm. There are 1,800 utility workers are on standby including 350 line workers from around the country. 

High winds post the biggest threat as crews work to restore power. 

By 5 a.m. Friday morning, the emergency operations center will be activated. ComEd is deploying crews from the headquarters in Joliet as they continue monitoring locations with outages. 

The goal is to get everyone's lights back on by Christmas.  

As of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, 496 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport.

At Midway International Airport, 244 flights were canceled.

Check back for flight cancellation updates as the storm progresses.   

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is closing all Driver Services facilities early due to the incoming winter storm. All Driver Services facilities will close at 1 p.m. on Thursday, and will remain closed until Tuesday.

"I encourage motorists to abide by law enforcement warnings to stay of the roads during hazardous, blizzard-like winter conditions," said White.   

While Driver Services facilities are closed, drivers can still visit the Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov for various services online; including driver's license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, obtaining a duplicate driver's license or ID card, ordering a driver record, and purchasing license plate stickers.

A Winter storm warning for Chicago goes into effect Thursday at noon. Widespread snow develops Thursday afternoon and evening.   

As of 9:50 a.m., 226 departing flights and were canceled at O'Hare International Airport, or approximately 22% of the day's departures so far, and 261 arriving flights were canceled, or 25% of the day's arrivals so far.

At Midway International Airport, 111 departing flights have been canceled, or about 37% of the day's departures so far, and 132 arriving flights have been canceled, or about 47% of the day's arriving flights so far.

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has deployed 287 salt trucks ahead of the winter storm approaching the area. 

The trucks will focus efforts on snow and ice on areas along DuSable Lake Shore Drive and arterial routes.

You can watch the city's snow fleet in real time at chicagoshovels.org.

CHICAGO (CBS) – We've looked at how people are gearing up for the upcoming winter storm – including stacking up on groceries and putting gas up their vehicles. But what about your pets?

Dog owners, especially, will have to prepare to take their extended family members for walks. The Humane Society is offering some tips to keep your dog safe this weekend.

Shelter your pets

Keeping pets sheltered is the first tip. Some owners would like their dogs in the yard to do their business, but it's advised not to leave them outside for long periods of time as temps start to drop.

If they have to be outside for a long period of time, make sure they have plenty of food and water.

Bundle up your pets

Cover up as much of your pet as possible as dangerous temperatures can put your pets at risk for hypothermia and frostbite.

Another thing to look out for is rock salt and other chemicals used to melt snow. It will cause irritation to your pet's paws.

Help protect outdoor pets

If there are any strays in your neighborhood, such as cats, you can help them by creating shelters to help keep them safe. You can provide them with food and water.

According to the Humane Society, some smaller animals may seek warmth under your car's hood because of the warm engine. It is suggested to bang on the hood of your vehicle to scare them away before starting it.

Report neglect

If you see a pet left out in the cold for a long period of time, let the owner know that you're worried about the safety of the pet. If that person responds negatively and continues to neglect the pet, you can contact your local animal control agency or call 9-1-1. 

On the Near North Side Wednesday, the city was out ahead of time ticketing and towing cars parked in areas where snow plows have a hard time getting through. The message is to go move your car right now if it's parked in an illegal or questionable spot.

They towed six cars first thing Wednesday morning.

"The goal is to keep the snow plows moving; to keep them on their designated routes without having to take any detours," said Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd).

At four specific Near North side intersections, snow plows have had a really hard time getting through in the past. Those intersections are:

• Clark and Maple streets
• Chicago and Michigan avenues
• Inner Lake Shore Drive and Superior Street
• Pearson Street and Dewitt Place.

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Evanston is preparing for at least 4 inches of snow in the coming snowstorm – and they are using something environmentally friendly to treat the roads.

In the salt tank at the Public Works Agency, fresh water mixes with salt to create between 4,000 and 6,000 gallons of brine, which is used to pretreat the roads in Evanston.

"It gets to a certain salinity which is somewhere between 22.5 and 23.3% salt to water," said Daniel "Chizel" Kwiecinski, a heavy equipment operator in Evanston.

Beet Heet and Bio Melt-64 are also added. The environmentally-friendly products help when the temperatures reach 15 degrees. That's when salt loses its effectiveness on the roads. The mixture is combined with salt to be spread on the streets.

A gallon of brine costs 12 cents to make. One ton of salt costs about $80.

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For those who don't have a home, the next few days are dangerous and can be deadly. A tent city is set up at Roosevelt Road and Des Plaines Street beside the Dan Ryan Expressway, and volunteers are stepping up to ensure their safety with the safest tents.

"We're building ice fishing tents. So we have OSB subflooring as well as housing insulation, like panel insulation on top. We will have 160 built this year. So, it's a lot," Andy Robledo told CBS 2's Noel Brennan.

Robledo said donations pay for the tents and survival gear that his team delivers to locations around the city.

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City officials said Wednesday that ahead of the winter storm, plow crews are on standby – and some private vendors are already on call. 

"We're going to be out there. We're going to have a full fleet out there – 300,000-plus vehicles out there – to try to keep up with it," said Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard.

Stallard said Chicago has 400,000 tons of salt stockpiled for the winter.

"We work year-round to develop our snow program," Stallard said.

Also on deck are with 300 pieces of equipment at the ready to clear streets. But private vendors are on call too.

"So we have the ability to put 300 pieces of equipment out on the street," Stallard said. "We can call our friends at other departments and our private vendors to bring that number up over 750 if need be."

Support and Family Services Commissioner Brande Knazze is reminding people warming centers will be open – and extra workers will be out trying to help the homeless.

"We'll have overnight teams all night. Our teams will be out," Knazze said. "We've increased the number of teams that we're adding going into the holiday weekend."

Driving over het next two days is expected to be treacherous. Commissioner Stallard had a suggestion for parents.

"Talk to your young drivers. We have drivers that are going to drive to high school. We have drivers that are going to go last-minute Christmas shopping," Stallard said. "Talk to those young drivers, because they're going to see a perfectly clear road they're going to drive down – and a block later, it's going to be whiteout conditions, possibly."

Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi said the city also has new, specialized equipment to clear bike paths – though of course, few are likely to be going around riding bikes in the snowstorm.

Read more

Facing a blizzard warning in parts of northwest Indiana from the looming winter storm, Gov. Eric Holcomb has activated nearly 150 members of the National Guard to help motorists in need.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is urging Hoosiers to stay off the roads from Thursday evening and through the weekend, unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to drive, give snow plows plenty of time and room to clear the roads of snow and ice.

Indiana also will activate its State Emergency Operations Center beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday to monitor the storm and coordinate response efforts.

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SNOW TIMING AND AMOUNTS

Snow begins in far northwest Illinois late Wednesday night. The snow makes it to the far western suburbs (De Kalb County, etc.) by 8 a.m. Thursday, and gets to the city of  Chicago by 11 a.m., and to northwest Indiana counties by early afternoon.

Snow totals are expected to reach 2-7" for the Chicago area. Porter and LaPorte counties in northwest Indiana will see more snow with strong winds coming in off the lake. Porter could total 7 or 8 inches and LaPorte could total more than a foot.

WIND

The wind picks up as we go through Thursday afternoon. They're really powerful Thursday night through Friday, with sustained winds of up to 39 mph, and gusts of up to 50 mph. Strong winds continue through Friday.

Those winds will pick up the snow that has fallen, and could create blizzard conditions in some areas. The falling snow should end early Friday, but the snow on the ground can still create a blizzard. It's called a ground blizzard.

BLIZZARD

Criteria: Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 mph. Falling snow or blowing snow on the ground lowering visibility to ¼ mile or less for a period of 3 hours.

FLASH FREEZE

We start Thursday pretty mild. Road salt does its job, but as temperatures crash Thursday afternoon, the wet roads can freeze. The ice that forms can be under the snow, and it all makes for dangerous driving conditions. A flash freeze is a possibility.

CRASHING TEMPS AND WIND CHILLS

The official temperature for Chicago, measured at O'Hare Airport, will be around 32 degrees at 10 a.m. Thursday, dropping to 12 degrees by 4 p.m., and as low as -4 at 7 a.m. Friday. The wind chill is 26 at 10 a.m. Thursday, -6 at 4 p.m. and -31 at 7 a.m. on Friday.

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services operates six warming centers across the city whenever temperatures drop below freezing. The warming centers are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620
312-747-0200

Garfield Community Service Center
10 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612
312-746-5400

Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653
312-747-2300

North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
312-744-2580

South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617
312-747-0500

Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639
312-744-2014

Masks are required inside the warming centers. The Garfield Community Service Center is open 24 hours a day to provide help finding emergency shelter.

You can also call the city's 311 non-emergency service line, or download the CHI311 app to find a warm place to go on nights or weekends.

Chicago public libraries and Chicago Park District buildings can also be used as warming centers during normal business hours, and might serve as warming centers on evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.

In suburban Cook County, there are 19 available warming centers at various city and village buildings in the list below:

Flying out of town for the holiday? As the first major winter storm brings heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous cold on Thursday and Friday, airlines want people heading for the airport to double check online and plan ahead.  

Santa Claus and his reindeer helpers were out at O'Hare International Airport on Wednesday, trying to bring a little holiday cheer to stressed-out travelers. Airlines are preparing for flight cancellations and delays on Thursday and Friday because of the big winter storm coming in.  

Most airlines are allowing customers to re-book without paying any extra charges.

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With extreme winter weather arriving ahead of the Christmas weekend, Chicago Public Schools announced it is canceling all after-care and out-of-school-time programming on Thursday.

A mix of heavy snow, strong winds and low temperatures will start moving into the western suburbs by Thursday morning, reaching the city by midday. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect starting at noon on Thursday for Cook County.

CPS notified parents on Wednesday that all schools will be open for a full day of classes on Thursday, but all after-school programs will be canceled Thursday due to the weather. Winter break for students begins on Friday, and no classes had been scheduled even before the storm.

Friday is a "school improvement day" for teachers, and sources said teachers have been told they can work remotely.

t's now a race against the clock for travelers going in and out of Chicago airports.

Airlines are getting ready for cancellations and delays and some travelers have had to pay a hefty price to get out before the storm.

CBS 2's Noel Brennan spent the day at O'Hare where people traveling on Tuesday were grateful to be leaving before the winter now storm. O'Hare was full of calm and stress - before the storm.

"I'm trying to get home for Christmas," laughed one traveler. 

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The next couple of days are shaping up to be a double whammy for consumers who haven't quite finished up their Christmas shopping and now have to get ready for a pending snow storm.

For the procrastinators out there, it's a formula for disaster. CBS 2's Andrew Ramos hit the road to see how shoppers were getting by.

With a possible blizzard like conditions set to hit Chicago and just four days left until Christmas, there was no shortage of chaotic scenes like these: The lines at this Costco on the South Side just kept going.

The traffic jam in the parking lot was another story.

One man who managed to get everything done on his Costco run  offered up some sound advice.

"Just make a list. Know exactly what you were going in there for. So you could be in and out and you don't waste time," said one shopper.

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With a monstrous snowstorm coming to the Chicago area this week, the Illinois Department of Transportation is already warning drivers to change their travel plans.

As CBS 2's Tara Molina reported, what travel will actually look like on Thursday and Friday all depends on how the storm hits – which is not yet certain. But with strong winds expected, IDOT is already prepared for blowing and drifting snow.

And gearing up for that snow, wind, and freezing temperatures, IDOT is at the ready.

"This is something we prepare for all year long, so we're ready," said IDOT communications manager Maria Castaneda.

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With dangerously cold wind chills, high winds and potentially a lot of snowfall, here are some ways the National Weather Service has advice for how people in the storm's path can keep safe as the winter storm hits on Thursday and Friday.

General safety tips for those who may need to brave the cold during extreme winter weather include dressing in layers, covering exposed skin and limiting their time outdoors.

Also recognize the signs of conditions related to exposure to extreme cold like frostbite or hypothermia.

Signs and symptoms of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign. Other signs include a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness. A victim is often unaware of frostbite because frozen tissue is numb.

Hypothermia often occurs at very cold temperatures. Signs and symptoms in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In infants, look for bright, red and cold skin and very low energy.

If a person's body temperature is below 95 degrees, get medical attention immediately.

Don't forget about pets. During extremely cold weather, bring them indoors and make sure they have a warm dry place with plenty of food and water.

Home and vehicle prep

Be sure to have at least three days' worth of water and food, all necessary medications, a first aid kit, salt, a shovel, a cell phone charger and other assistive technology devices.

The high winds expected later this week could result in power outages. In the event your power goes out, close blinds or curtains to keep in some heat. Close off rooms to avoid wasting heat. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing. Eat and drink. Food provides energy to warm the body. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.

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ComEd is getting crews and equipment ready in case the winter storm causes any power outages.

The utility company isn't just concerned about heavy snow and ice, but the high winds that could bring down power lines. You can report power problems by texting OUT to 2-6-6-3-3 or calling 1-800-EDISON.

Police and fire stations and hospitals will get priority for restoration if there's an outage.

City leaders are preparing for major impacts ahead of this week's winter storm, especially at the airports, where the Chicago Department of Aviation expects nearly 3 million passengers for the Christmas weekend.

Officials are advising anyone planning to travel for the holiday weekend to arrive early and give yourself extra time to make your flight in case of traffic or long lines at the airport.

So far, Southwest, United, and American airlines are waiving change, rebooking, and difference in fare fees for flights out of Midway and O'hare airports between Wednesday and Friday due to the looming winter storm that could bring blizzard conditions from Thursday night through Friday evening.

Airport and airline officials have said, if you can, arrange for a flight before Thursday or after Friday to avoid the storm.

So far, there haven't been any mass cancelations at the airports.

Either way, airport officials have said they are ready for anything.

"We are well-prepared for the impending storm that's predicted to start Thursday night, maybe tomorrow night. We have 500 staff members who are ready to work 24/7, and 350 pieces of snow removing equipment. Lots of salt and lots of and deicer for the roadways," said Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride.

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A winter storm is arriving ahead of Christmas. CBS 2 looked into how this year's conditions compare to past historic years. 

A strong storm is expected to hit Chicagoland with just about everything -- cold temperatures, high winds, dangerous wind chills and potentially significant snow Thursday evening through Friday. The lows on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are likely to be in the single digits. Wind chills will likely be well below zero on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.   

High temperatures are expected to be near 18 degrees with lows in the single digits on Christmas Day, which compared to nearly 40 years ago would have been pretty pleasant. 

The coldest reported Chicago Christmas was in 1983 when low temperatures dropped to -17 degrees. The high temperature that year was only -5 degrees. Christmas Eve that year was even colder than Christmas Day, with a low of 25 below zero.

If you can believe it, the warmest Chicago Christmas was reported just a year before in 1982 when high temperatures reached 64 degrees. Our archive coverage shows that Lake Michigan was blue and brilliant – and there were windsurfers out on the water.

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A serious winter weather system is coming to the Chicago area this week just before Christmas – and it's demanding center stage for everyone from Amazon to the airlines and the Chicago Archdiocese.

The strong storm is expected to hit Chicagoland with just about everything -- cold temperatures, high winds, dangerous wind chills, and potentially significant snow – and even blizzard conditions – Thursday evening through Friday. Indeed, shoppers, travelers, and worshipers alike are feeling the threat as it bears down.

As CBS 2's Chris Tye reported Monday night, traveling will be more than punishing to some people leaving town even if the snowfall amounts to half of some of the projections.

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