Chicago winter storm: What's the difference between a snowstorm and blizzard?
While snow is obviously an important factor, it's also about wind and visibility.
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While snow is obviously an important factor, it's also about wind and visibility.
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon is tracking the heavy snowfall set to cover the Chicago area starting late Thursday night.
Some Amtrak passengers even had to spend their Christmas in Union Station. They said things were looking up on Christmas Day – until their train got canceled yet again.
Buffalo was struggling to cope with its worst storm in years. The massive system is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents in frigid homes and cars.
On Monday, Bills fans with whom we spoke said they knew they were risking getting stuck in Chicago as the data showed a once-in-a-lifetime blizzard would fall the holiday weekend.
The fans came for the Bears' game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, and then found themselves stuck as a blizzard dumped 8 feet of snow on Buffalo. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
Buffalo fans came to Chicago for the Bears-Bills game at Soldier Field on Saturday, and now many of them are struggling to get home. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
Blowing snow will continue to be a concern on Saturday.
Winterland will also be closed on Christmas Day Sunday, and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 26.
With strong winds expected, IDOT is already prepared for blowing and drifting snow.
The strong storm is expected to hit Chicagoland with just about everything -- cold temperatures, high winds, dangerous wind chills, and potentially significant snow.
CHICAGO (CBS) — Here are the top 10 snowstorms in Chicago history, according to the National Weather Service:
On Jan. 31, 2011 – a decade ago Sunday – the snow began in a blizzard that did not let up for 40 hours.
Suburban Chicago is getting hit hard by one of the biggest November snowstorms on record. Thick, wet snow fell heavily overnight, with accumulations in some locations nearing a foot.
Chicago is under a winter storm warning, check back for the latest updates:
It was 50 years ago today that the biggest blizzard in Chicago brought the city to a standstill, as nearly 23 inches of snow buried the Windy City.
It's been the Big Dig-Out this morning for many in northwest Indiana and the far southern suburbs, after Wednesday's blizzard buried areas south and east of Chicago in several inches of heavy wet snow.
Tens of thousands of people in northwest Indiana lost power Wednesday, when a blizzard dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas, and winds of up to 50 mph took out power lines. Scores of motorists also ended up stranded overnight when their cars got stuck in the heavy show.
South Shore Line trains are set to resume service after service was suspended between Chicago and northwest Indiana Thursday morning because of a power outage.
On the afternoon of Feb. 1, 2011, snow began began falling with a ferocity rarely seen in Chicago.
Starting nearly 50 years ago today, Chicago endured the worst blizzard in its history, watching as 23 inches of snow blanketed the city and suburbs, bringing the area to a virtual standstill.
From the coldest February in 140 years to the strongest tornado in 25 years, the Chicago area has seen its fair share of historic weather events this year.
Sidewalks around 51st and Karlov remain encrusted with ice and snow, forcing pedestrians to use the street. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.
As a nor'easter prepares to pummel the Northeast, environmentalists have turned to climate change to explain this season's storms.
Authorities stress that shoveling snow can be potentially dangerous.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
On Nov. 4, UPS Flight 2976 bound for Hawaii crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, where UPS has its global aviation hub.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
It was an extra special Christmas Day for 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes, who were surprised with a trip off base in the middle of bootcamp for some holiday cheer.
More than 1,500 people are feeling the Christmas joy thanks to St. Sabina Church in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
The strikes come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Morning showers with mild temperatures Friday. Highs around 50.
No ticket, no problem; some airports are starting to provide gate passes that allow people to go to the gate to meet or stay with arriving and departing friends and family.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
California, soaked from days of relentless rain and recovering from mudslides in mountain towns, was hit with another powerful storm Christmas Day.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. launched a “powerful and deadly" strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after weeks of accusing their government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
For the ninth year in a row, a Chicago nonprofit lined up a caravan of cars and toys to make surprise stops around the city, mainly on the South Side.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria," President Trump said.
On Nov. 4, UPS Flight 2976 bound for Hawaii crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, where UPS has its global aviation hub.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
One year ago, the Chicago Bears were fighting for draft positioning. Now they've clinched a playoff spot in the first year of a new coaching regime.
As the 11-4 Chicago Bears prepare for their Sunday night matchup with the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers, one player earned an extra Christmas present from the league thanks to his impressive performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
