Flights grounded as heavy snow disrupts Manchester Airport

On January 10, 2025, widespread snowfall significantly impacted travel in the Chicago area, leading to substantial flight cancellations at the city's airports. As snow began to fall heavily, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport implemented a ground stop around 8 a.m., which lasted until 9:15 a.m. This ground stop halted incoming flights that had not yet departed for Chicago. By 2:30 p.m., O'Hare reported the cancellation of 119 flights and delays for more than 600 others. Additionally, Midway International Airport saw 31 canceled flights and 57 delays by the same time. The Chicago area was forecasted to receive between 1 to 2 inches of snow, with parts southeast of the city potentially seeing up to 3 inches. The snowfall caused hazardous road conditions for morning commuters, with city salt spreaders deployed to manage major streets, bridges, and overpasses overnight. Snow was expected to taper off in the afternoon, but slick roads remained a concern for the evening commute. The city was also preparing for a quick chance of additional snow over the upcoming weekend. This situation was not unique to Chicago, as airports across the UK were also dealing with severe weather disruptions. Fresh ice warnings had been issued in regions such as northern Scotland, causing delays at Manchester Airport and prompting authorities to advise travelers to allow extra time for their journeys. In total, the weather's impact was widespread, affecting both air travel and road safety. As authorities and airport teams worked diligently to clear runways and manage delays, the broader implications of such weather disruptors became evident. Passengers were urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates, emphasizing the unpredictability that winter weather can impose on air travel logistics. The ongoing winter conditions were expected to persist, with forecasts suggesting the potential for further snow and ice warnings over the next few days.