Winter Returns As Storm Dumps More Than 5 Inches On Parts Of Chicago Area
Updated 03/23/15 - 4:30 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- This is not the way you want to start the week.
Last week at this time, Chicago was basking in sunshine, enjoying a day when the temperature reached a high of 73 degrees.
This morning, that all felt light a distant dream, as there was enough snow to bring out hundreds of snow plows and salt spreaders. As of 3:30 p.m., Airlines at O'Hare have cancelled more than 500 flights with delays averaging one hour. At Midway, more than 50 flights have been cancelled with delays averaging two hours.
Light snow began falling around midnight, and by the time morning rush began, wet heavy snow was blanketing most of the city and suburbs. As of 1:30 p.m., the NWS says O'Hare has received 5.8 inches of snow and Midway received 5.1 inches. St. Charles received 6.1 inches and Buffalo Grove received 5.3.
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"This is ridiculous," Park Ridge resident Phil Murchie said. "This is the worst of this winter."
In response to all the snow, the city of Chicago deployed its full fleet of 280 snow plows and salt spreaders early Monday. Late Monday afternoon, the trucks moved from the main streets to the neighborhood streets. The Illinois Department of Transportation also deployed 200 trucks to Chicago area highways to keep roads as clear as possible for the morning commute.
Even then, plenty of drivers ended up sliding out in the slick conditions, hitting other vehicles, or sliding off roads.
The snow also was creating headaches for some travelers who were looking to begin spring break, with many schools having this week off. At O'Hare International Airport, approximately 250 flights had been canceled as of 10 a.m. At Midway, another 20 flights had been canceled. Both airports were reporting delays of 90 minutes or more for many other flights.
Even with all the problems caused by the snow, not everyone was complaining.
"You have to have the kid in you all the time. So I pretend. I play in the snow," Park Ridge resident Pete Lulusa said.
On his 65th birthday, Lulusa chose to see the heavy snowfall differently.
"God is good! Amen. I'm not kidding you," he said. "God decorates his world the way he likes it, and I like it that way. Just clean and beautiful."
At Russo's Power Equipment in Schiller Park, the snow blowers and salt have been replaced with lawn mowers and grass seed.
"There's a handful of sales where someone was coming in and they were buying shovels and grass seed, fertilizer." Brian Henning. "Looks like we're kind of teetering between two seasons at this point.
For those pining for more springlike weather, thankfully winter's return was not expected to last, as temperatures on Tuesday were expected to be in the mid 40s, and a thunderstorm could hit the area Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, temperatures will reach nearly 60 degrees.
