Chicago weather: Bitter cold remains after weekend snow storm; airports getting back to normal
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The snow has moved out of the Chicago area Monday, but bitter cold temperatures remain, prompting some schools to be closed.
Temperatures Monday morning were in the single digits for wind chills as low as -25.
Warming centers are available across the Chicago area Monday.
SEE ALSO | Warming centers open in city, suburbs as bitter cold moves into Chicago area | Full list
Chicago Public Schools confirmed it would be open with regular hours on Monday, will many other school districts will be cancelling classes or moving to remote learning.
READ MORE | School Closings: Chicago Area Complete List
Families are waiting across Chicago for their streets to be cleared of ice and snow.
The lack of plows has some people using dibs for parking spots in Ukrainian Village.
"Every third house somebody was outside," Ukrainian Village resident Diana Pardino said. "There was also kids out here, and everybody was kind of just like, commuting together to, like, put down salts and everything like that."
Pardino said they have yet to see a snow plow come down their street.
"Grandpa's the one who gets up in the morning, cleans the car and stuff like that and everything, but I get the baby ready," Pardino said. "So it is a bit frustrating because it takes us a bit longer to get out the house to school."
While some remain frustrated, others are taking advantage of the weather to have some fun.
Karen and Bob said they have grandkids that live down the street and when school was canceled they decided to make frozen bubbles instead. It's been keeping them busy as they stay inside and try to clean off the sidewalks when they can.
"Just think of the poor mailman and the people pushing strollers and little kids getting across all the big clumps of snow," Karen Webster said.
"We did shovel the alley, we had to shovel that and our driveway," Bob Clark said.
A spokesperson the Department of Streets and Sanitation said the agency has more than 300 pieces of equipment ready for snow. They said plows were working overnight but people will have to be patient as plows work their way through neighborhood streets.
It's a much-needed help, especially for those having to dig themselves out of their parking spots, which means you may see more families calling dibs, which is illegal In Chicago .
"I've seen things like even statues, religious statues, I've seen things like even statues, religious statues being put out," Karen Webster said.
Asked of people get mad if someone moves the chairs, Webster said yes.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communication said their cold weather advisory remains in effect until noon today. So if you are putting down salt or trying to shovel your street or walkway, dress very warm.
Route 394 was shut down after crashes on both northbound and southbound lanes at about 6:30 a.m. near U.S. 30. Officials warned of slick conditions in the area.
The Illinois Secretary of State's Office announced that there would be no walk-ins for road tests before noon due to the extreme cold and road conditions.
In Indiana, all Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches will be closed Monday.
Meanwhile, Chicago's airports are working to get back to normal after thousands of flight cancellations over the weekend across the country.
Things have improved, compared to Sunday and there are not as many cancellations.
Between Sunday and Saturday, more than 15,000 of flights were cancelled nationwide as a major winter storm moved through the country.
The storm dumped snow and ice from the south all the way to the east.
Here in Chicago, we saw snow and continue to deal with frigid conditions.
The cancellations forced some people to consider driving to their destination.
"My flight has been canceled twice so far, but I made it here from international, so I'm probably driving to Columbus," traveler Abel Girma said. "I don't want to wait another two days."
Some major hubs spent more than $30,000 an hour to keep runways plowed.
Major airlines are offering flight changes with no fees, for those who have impacted.
