Weather

A chair set out in a shoveled parking space to claim dibs on that spot.

Weather

Dibs calls always pour in to 311 after snow falls in Chicago, from some areas more than others

The highest rates of calls to the city’s 311 line over dibs disputes come from Archer Heights, Brighton Park and Hermosa, the lowest from Oakland and Riverdale.

By Alden Loury | WBEZ

A man was stabbed following an argument Sept. 2, 2022, near a CTA Green Line station.

Suburban Chicago

Man dies of cold exposure in Schiller Park

The 60-year-old man’s death Thursday was ruled an accident and happened as temperatures plunged during a winter storm.

By Kade Heather

Pedestrians walk while trying to shield their faces from the wind along West Foster Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood this morning during the first wave of Friday’s snowstorm. Six to 12 inches of snow is expected, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A winter storm warning lasting until Saturday at noon was issued for the Chicago area.

Weather

‘Bomb cyclone’ could hit Chicago area Friday night — and no matter what they call it, it’ll be nasty

With wind upward of 40 mph and 6 more inches of snow expected Friday night, residents are advised to stay indoors.

By Audrey Hettleman

A person removes snow from the windows of a car on North Magnolia Street in the Edgewater neighborhood during a major snowstorm, Friday morning, Jan. 12, 2024. Six to 12 inches of snow is expected, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A winter storm warning lasting until Saturday at noon was issued for the Chicago area.

Weather

City will open warming centers this weekend as Chicagoans brace for brutal winter temperatures

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications said it would work with city departments to help residents, the unhoused and new arrivals stay warm over the coming days.

By Mary Norkol

Pedestrians walk while trying to shield their faces from the wind along West Foster Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood during a major snowstorm, Friday morning, Jan. 12, 2024.

Weather

Winter storm cancels CPS after-school activities, knocks out power at more than 30 schools

Attendance varied Friday — some schools were half empty, and others had around 80% of their students.

By Nader Issa

Los solicitantes de asilo se encuentran dentro de un autobús de calentamiento de la CTA en la zona de aterrizaje designada de Chicago para las nuevas llegadas de migrantes en 800 S. Desplaines St. durante una tormenta de nieve el viernes.

Weather

Migrants won’t get booted from shelters next week as planned, but some stuck sleeping on buses as brutal weather rolls in

The city has delayed shelter evictions that were set for Tuesday, but more than 140 migrants remain in buses at the city’s designated site for new arrivals.

By Michael Loria

A cyclist avoids a patch of slushy snow on West Foster Avenue near North Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood during a major snowstorm Friday morning.

Weather

Snow shoveling begins ahead of storm’s second wave

Chicago-area residents worked to dig out from under several inches of heavy, wet snow before the next wave hits the area and temperatures plummet.

By David Struett, Phyllis Cha, and 1 more

A man walks his dog along a trail near Montrose Beach, after snow showers bring nearly an inch of snow to the Chicagoland area, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.

Weather

‘Thump of snow,’ potential blizzard across Chicago area Friday, then brutal cold

Forecasters say the incoming heavy, wet snow will resemble the ‘heart attack snowstorm’ of 1987, when two dozen people died from the strain of shoveling.

By David Struett

Matthew Dolkart and his wife Hillary Catrow walk their dogs Phoebe and Rhubie along the lakefront near Montrose Beach on Dec. 31.

Weather

‘Big ol’ ball of cold air’ headed for Chicago next week, after early weekend snow

Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the coldest days of the week with highs in the single digits, according to the National Weather Service.

By Mohammad Samra

Snow falls Tuesday afternoon in west suburban St. Charles. About 6 inches was measured in west suburban Downers Grove at 3:30 p.m.

Weather

First big snow of season hits Chicago area; winter weather advisory issued, storm warning extended

Dropping temperatures and increased winds were expected to create snow drifts and possibly hazardous road conditions. Temps will dip to single digits Saturday.

By Kade Heather, Cindy Hernandez, and 1 more

A pedestrian with an umbrella walks on North Broadway near West Catalpa Avenue in Edgewater early Tuesday. A storm advisory, which began on Monday night, remains in effect until 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Weather

Chicago area hit with rainy, snowy mix while bracing for storm’s ‘second wave’

Snowfall predictions fell short with O’Hare only measuring less than an inch while 1.2 inches fell at Midway, according to the National Weather Service. Experts still say allow extra time for commutes and caution while shoveling snow.

By Audrey Hettleman

Weather

Chicago snow forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches Monday night into Tuesday morning

The National Weather Service forcasts one to three inches of snow, starting late Monday and continuing through the Tuesday morning commute.

By Violet Miller

A man uses his hood to shield his face from snow as he walks along State St. in The Loop, as snow showers dust the Chicago area, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

Weather

Light snow showers expected through Saturday, significant systems move in Monday

As of 6 p.m., O’Hare airport had recorded about 1.9 inches of snow and Midway about 1.6 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

By Sophie Sherry

Una familia visita el Zoológico de Lincoln Park en un día de Navidad anormalmente cálido.

Weather

Last month tied for Chicago’s fourth-warmest December on record

With temperatures 8 to 9 degrees above normal, last month ranked in the top five warmest Decembers on record for the Chicago area.

By Audrey Hettleman

A woman pulls a sled with a young child sitting in it through trees after nearly an inch of snow fell in the Chicago area.

Weather

Chicago area could see first winter storm of the season next week, meteorologists say

The weather system that could land early next week may bring gusty winds and heavy, wet snow, the National Weather Service said.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Matthew Dolkart and Hillary Catrow walk their dogs near Montrose Beach on Dec. 31, 2023.

Weather

A taste of winter as snow dusts Chicago on last day of the year

Nearly an inch of snow had fallen at O’Hare and 0.2 inches were recorded at Midway by the time snow showers ended Sunday.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Environment

Southwest Side is hottest part of Chicago during summer, climate study finds

One day in July, there was a more than 20 degree difference between Rogers Park and Archer Heights. Why the Southwest Side is so hot will be explored by the city.

By Brett Chase

A group of people explore Lincoln Park Zoo on an unseasonably warm Christmas Day 2023. With the record lack of snowfall and warm temperatures, December of 2023 is on track to set new records.

Weather

December on track to be 4th warmest in history — the Christmas Day high was 59 at O’Hare

December of 2015 is currently the fourth warmest, with an average temperature of 39 degrees. Monday’s low was 50. The hottest Christmas on record was 1982, at 64.

By Cindy Hernandez

A group of people explore Lincoln Park Zoo on an abnormally warm Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Chicago

Families open presents and rush outdoors on an unseasonably warm Christmas Day

Temps in the 50s that may be tied to an El Niño pattern over the Pacific brought many Chicagoans to Lincoln Park. But normal weather will return later in the week.

By Mohammad Samra

A Southwest Airlines jet arrives at Midway Airport. The airline canceled 186 flights at Midway on Sunday, and as of 6 p.m. delays were up to two hours.

Transportation

At Midway Airport, echoes of 2022 as nearly 200 flights are delayed, travelers’ nerves jangled

Midway had 195 canceled flights Sunday. For some, it was a reminder of last year’s travel jam that was blamed on bad weather, and Southwest’s technology and staffing issues.

By Kaitlin Washburn and Violet Miller

Snow is unlikely as temperatures are expected to hover around the 50s leading up to and on Christmas Day in Chicago.

News

Chicago may get a ‘moist’ Christmas, but snow unlikely: forecast calls for rain, temps in the 50s

Chances of snow are looking slim for the coming weeks.

By Mary Norkol

La prohibición anual, vigente entre las 3 y las 7 a.m. del 1 de diciembre al 1 de abril, se aplica independientemente de si hay nieve o no. | Archivos Sun-Times

Transportation

City tows 263 cars on first day of winter parking ban

The yearly ban, in effect between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. each day from Dec. 1 to April 1, is enforced regardless of snow.

By Kade Heather

Weather

Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban returns Friday

The ban will affect main roads from 3 a.m. through 7 a.m. each day until April 1.

By Isabel Funk

Dogs and their owners romp in the snow in Bucktown on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.

Weather

Early morning snow arrives in Chicago area, up to 3 inches expected in NW Illinois

Snow began falling over the area Sunday morning and stopped by the afternoon. After dipping into the teens ovenight Sunday, warm temps will return later in the week.

By Sun-Times staff

Los residentes y propietarios pueden obtener más información y presentar su solicitud en internet o por teléfono.

Washington

Biden approves federal disaster help for parts of Cook County hit in September storm

Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones said, “You have to understand how devastating the Sept. 17 flooding was…some residents have lost everything in the house.”

By Lynn Sweet

A U.S. Geological Survey map of an earthquake’s reach from Standard, Illinois.

News

Earthquake rattles, shakes and wakes Putnam County — about 110 miles from Chicago

No injuries were reported, but about 120 people reported feeling the quake, which measured at 3.6 magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. “We received voluminous amounts of 911 calls,” said a police lieutenant in Peru, Illinois. “It was literally one call after another.”

By Sophie Sherry

The leaves on the oak tree, left are still green and bright Monday while those of the maple at right had mostly turned brown and blown away.

Columnists

Be the last leaf on the tree

Certain trees, such as oaks, hold onto their leaves through a little-understood quality known as marcescence.

By Neil Steinberg

A dense fog advisory is in effect Jan. 24, 2020.

Weather

Dense fog advisory issued for Chicago

Visibility could be limited to a quarter mile until 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

By Sun-Times Wire

Flooded basements in Chicago are increasingly common. What you can do.

By Jessica Pupovac | WBEZ

WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling takes the temperature of the water for the Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on Sunday March 6, 2022.

News

Longtime Chicagoland meteorologist Tom Skilling honored by U.S. reps

Congressmen Bill Foster, D-Ill., and Mike Quigley, D-Ill., submitted a statement to the Congressional Record that honors Skilling’s four-and-a-half decades as a meteorologist in the Chicago area.

By Mohammad Samra