Snowfall grounds flights at O'Hare and Midway airports

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Over 300 flights have been cancelled at O’Hare and Midway airports and plows are on the roads as snow falls in Chicago on a chilly Valentine’s Day.

Snowflakes began falling in downtown Chicago about noon as the temperature hovered around 18 degrees. Up to two inches of snow could accumulate by the time the snowfall stops about 2 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

280 snow plows have been sent to clear the main routes and Lake Shore Drive, according to a statement from the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitations. The plows will focus on salting and clearing main streets during the snowfall. Once the snow stops, the plows will begin clearing residential streets.

Flights at O’Hare International Airport are delayed an average of one hour and 11 minutes because of the weather, according to the FAA’s website.

The FAA also imposed ground stops at O’Hare and Midway Airport, while 270 flights have been canceled at O’Hare and 60 flights have been cancelled at Midway, according to the agency.

O’Hare is reporting 90 minute flight delays, and Midway is reporting about 15 minute flight delays.

Residents who have insufficient heat in their homes or need shelter can call 311 for help.

Overnight, the temperature will rise to about 26 degrees by 2 a.m., and Monday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 35 degrees, according to the weather service. On Tuesday, there will be a 40 percent of chance of snow and a high of 36.

But, the snow won’t be sticking around long — temperatures could surpass 50 degrees on Friday and Saturday, according to the weather service.