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.
Sixty years after a homicide victim's remains were found in western Illinois, he has been identified as a California teenager who had been missing since 1965.
The Chicago Cubs introduced third baseman Alex Bregman at Wrigley Field on Thursday, after signing him to a $175 million, five-year contract.
"Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey stopped by the Art Institute of Chicago recently.
United Airlines flight attendants picketed outside Chicago's Willis Tower Thursday morning as they fought for a new contract.
Four former DePaul University basketball players are among 26 players and fixers charged in an NCAA men's basketball game rigging scheme.
In 2023, life expectancy in the Loop was 87.3 years, while in West Garfield Park, life expectancy was just 66.6 years, according to the city's Health Department.
A panel for the U.S. Central District Court of California ruled Democrats can proceed in using their redrawn congressional maps for the 2026 midterm elections.
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago President Kari Steele met Wednesday to talk about securing federal funding owed to the district for the Thornton Composite Reservoir.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
Roughly 1.4 million fewer Americans have signed up for an Affordable Care Act plan as expiring tax breaks drive up premiums.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
United Airlines flight attendants picketed outside Chicago's Willis Tower Thursday morning as they fought for a new contract.
WSCR-AM, 670 The Score, will begin a simulcast on 104.3 FM next month.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
Meet Chicago Bean, who is ready for adoption at Barb's Precious Rescue.
A man is dead, and two others were injured after a shooting in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.
Meteorologist David Yeomans has your 11 a.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
The sculpture has been set up at the Merchandise Mart along the Chicago River between Wells and Orleans streets.
“Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey stopped by the Art Institute of Chicago recently.
A driver was killed in a crash involving a car and a school bus was just outside Manhattan, Illinois, southwest of Chicago on Thursday morning.
Three former DePaul University basketball players are among 26 players charged in an NCAA men's basketball game fixing scheme.
Sixty years after a homicide victim's remains were found in western Illinois, he has been identified as a California teenager who had been missing since 1965.
"Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey stopped by the Art Institute of Chicago recently.
United Airlines flight attendants picketed outside Chicago's Willis Tower Thursday morning as they fought for a new contract.
Lead-based paint was banned for serious health reasons in 1978, but most homes built before then remain covered in it.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
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
The Chicago Cubs introduced third baseman Alex Bregman at Wrigley Field on Thursday, after signing him to a $175 million, five-year contract.
According to the indictment, players on 17 different NCAA Division I men's basketball teams fixed or attempted to fix 29 games.
Kylan Boswell had 13 points and six assists for Illinois, which used its superior size to outscore Northwestern 34-18 in the paint.
The Chicago Bulls overcame Brice Sensabaugh's career-high 43 points to beat the Utah Jazz 128-126 on Wednesday night.
With a tough divisional matchup with the Rams coming up on Sunday, they are ready to mute all the cheesehead chatter.
Chicago police have issued a community alert on a string of burglaries this week targeting businesses from the north lakefront to the Southwest Side.
Burglars broke into a bar in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.
A teen stood charged Thursday with shooting a young woman in the mouth in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood earlier this week.
A man is dead, and two others were injured after a shooting in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.
Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have charged a registered nurse to giving counterfeit Ozempic to patients in Chicago.
