Winter storm cancels hundreds of flights

CHICAGO — A winter storm that moved across the Upper Midwest over the weekend ended Sunday after delivering a ninth consecutive day of snowfall in Chicago, and snow and freezing rain in Michigan and Indiana.

After 10 inches of snow fell in northern Illinois on Friday, another wave of snow moved across the area late Saturday, leaving an additional 3 inches by the time the storm ended Sunday afternoon.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said about 215 flights were canceled at O’Hare International Airport by Sunday afternoon. There were 245 flights canceled at Midway International Airport. That is significantly less than the approximately 1,300 cancellations at the two airports on Friday.

The National Weather Service said Sunday was the ninth consecutive day of “measurable” snowfall in Chicago. Meteorologist Stephen Rodriguez said it ties a record and marks just the third time this has happened since the weather service began keeping records in 1885. The weather service defines “measurable” as 0.1 inch or more.

AP/Chicago Tribune/BRIAN CASSELLA Stranded passengers endure a wait for checked baggage at Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago after a winter storm moving across the Great Lakes forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights Sunday.