Snowfall totals reach new records, more than 1,400 flights cancelled

CHICAGO - The Chicago area is experiencing the first major snowstorm of the season on Saturday, that is expected to bring multiple inches of snow throughout the afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning this weekend that is in effect through 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Forecast models are predicting 6 to 12 inches of snowfall across the area. The storm could also make traveling difficult. 

Saturday will set new daily snowfall records for both Chicago and Rockford. Chicago's previous record for this date was 3.0" (set back in 1942), while Rockford's previous record was also 3.0" (set back in 1925).

Follow along as we post live updates on the forecast and travel news in the Chicago area.

LIVE UPDATES: 

• 9:47 p.m. – 1,468 flights were canceled at O'Hare International and Midway airports.
• 7:39 p.m – Periods of snow will continue through tonight, especially for areas north of I-80. However, snow rates will continue to gradually decrease, with an additional 1 to locally 3" of snow possible by Sunday a.m.

• 6:40 p.m. — Delays at Chicago O'Hare are averaging 5 hours and 16 minutes. So far today there have been over 1,400 flight cancellations between O'Hare and Midway.Number of total cancellations today:O'Hare: 1,161Midway: 246
• Number of total cancellations today:O'Hare: 1,161Midway: 246
• O'Hare: 1,161
• Midway: 246

• 6:30 p.m. — Snowfall totals: 5'0": Valparaiso, Hobart5.5": Marengo6.0": Wadsworth, LaSalle, Dyer, Naperville, Romeoville, Round Lake Park, Lake Bluff, Lockport, Midway Airport6.6": Batavia, Bradley6.7": Boulder Hill, Oswego Twp.6.9": O'Hare7.0": Bronzeville (Chicago), McHenry7.2": Palatine7.4": Mount Prospect7.5": South Barrington8.0": Evanston, Oakbrook Terrace
• 5'0": Valparaiso, Hobart
• 5.5": Marengo
• 6.0": Wadsworth, LaSalle, Dyer, Naperville, Romeoville, Round Lake Park, Lake Bluff, Lockport, Midway Airport
• 6.6": Batavia, Bradley
• 6.7": Boulder Hill, Oswego Twp.
• 6.9": O'Hare
• 7.0": Bronzeville (Chicago), McHenry
• 7.2": Palatine
• 7.4": Mount Prospect
• 7.5": South Barrington
• 8.0": Evanston, Oakbrook Terrace
• Flight cancellations: More than 1,300 flights have been canceled between O'Hare and Midway airports as of 5:30 p.m., per FlightAware.com.
• 5:23 p.m. — Ground Delay issued at O'Hare International through 1 a.m. on Sunday.
• 3:31 p.m. — Snow will continue through tonight before tapering off tomorrow morning. Another period of snow is expected Monday afternoon and night and could result in hazardous travel for the evening commute. Otherwise, expect cold temperatures to prevail through the week, according to NWS.

• Flight cancellations: More than 1,100 flights have been canceled between O'Hare and Midway airports as of 2 p.m., per FlightAware.com.
• Ground Stop issued at Midway Airport through 4:15 p.m. due to low visibility, per FAA.
• Ground Stop issued at O'Hare International Airport through 3:30 p.m. due to snow and ice, per FAA.
• Worsening conditions: The National Weather Service reported around 12:30 p.m. that conditions are deteriorating to begin the afternoon as snowfall rates increase to about 1 inch per hour through around 8 p.m. tonight. That will also result in reduced visibility to under one mile and snow-covered roads should make for hazardous travel conditions.

Photos: Chicago, suburban residents capture Saturday's snowstorm

• Highway crashes: Between 5 a.m. and around noon on Saturday, the Illinois State Police responded to 47 motorist assists, 123 crashes only involving property damage, and 21 crashes involving personal injuries in the Chicago area.
• Ground Stop issued at Midway Airport from 11:05 a.m. to 12:15 a.m., per the FAA.
• Flight cancellations: As of 11 a.m., nearly 900 flights have been canceled at O'Hare and Midway airports on Saturday due to winter weather, per FlightAware.com.

• Crash reporting: The Illinois State Police asks any drivers on the highway who are in a crash with only damage and no injuries to complete their own crash report online. To do so, go to the ISP's Civilian Crash Reporting System at this link.
• The Ground Stop at O'Hare Airport has expired and a Ground Delay is in effect as of 9:30 a.m., per the FAA.
• Highway snow plowing: A spokesperson from the Illinois Department of Transportation came on Good Day Chicago to talk about the conditions on Chicago area highways and what drivers should keep in mind if they need to travel today.

• Ground Stop issued at O'Hare Airport until 9:30 a.m. More than 600 flights have been canceled between O'Hare and Midway airports on Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.
• Flight delays: A Ground Delay was in effect at O'Hare International Airport throughout Saturday due to the weather. The average delay was stretching more than four hours as of 7 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Snow plowing: Cole Stallard, the City of Chicago's commissioner of Streets and Sanitation, joined Good Day Chicago to talk about the road conditions and what precautions travelers should take during such conditions. More than 225 workers will be out and about to keep the city's 9,400 lane miles of roads as safe as possible.

• Snowfall predictions: The National Weather Service is forecasting larger snowfall amounts to the west and northern parts of the Chicago area with 7 to 11 inches. While parts of the south suburbs are more in the 5 to 9-inch zone.

• As of 7 a.m. on Saturday, there was only light snow falling in the area, but it's expected to become heavier by this afternoon. High temperatures are expected to hit around 29 degrees. Some blowing and drifting is possible.