Nearly 200 flights were canceled and hundreds delayed at O'Hare and Midway airports Wednesday because of a dense fog that rolled into the area and created headaches for Thanksgiving travelers.
Wednesday marked the first day of Thanksgiving holiday travel. AAA estimates that more than 43 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles to get to families and friends to share their holiday meal.
Aviation officials expect almost two million people to pass through Chicago's airports between Wednesday and next Tuesday.
Airlines canceled about 135 flights at O'Hare Airport as of 9 p.m., according to the city's Department of Aviation. At Midway, about 55 flights were canceled.
Additionally, flights in and out of Midway remained delayed about 90 minutes Wednesday night, while regional jet flights were still being delayed about 45 minutes at O'Hare as of 9 p.m., the Dept. of Aviation said.
For much of the morning, visibility was below a quarter-mile at O'Hare and lower than 1/16 of a mile at Midway, according to the National Weather Service.
More than 500 flights were delayed at the two airports early Wednesday with residual delays into the afternoon.
The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory Wednesday until noon. The fog began rolling in Tuesday night and became more dense thanks to light winds, clearing skies and a moist air mass, according to the weather service. It stuck around through late morning.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:07 GMT
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:43 GMT
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:49:58 GMT
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Friday, November 23 2012 8:49 AM EST2012-11-23 13:49:13 GMT
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:50:46 GMT
The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that the "Apprentice" star lied on the witness stand.
Jurors have withdrawn to begin deliberations about whether Donald Trump cheated an 87-year-old who claims the "Apprentice" star cheated her in property deal.
