Wednesday snow brings Chicago winter total to 3 inches

Chicago saw less than a half-inch of snow Wednesday, but that dusting of the white stuff finally put the city above the 3-inch mark for total snowfall this winter.

Forecasters say 0.4 inches of snow had fallen at O'Hare Airport as of 6 p.m. Even so, Chicago's stingy snowfall has resulted in the lowest season total through Jan. 30 on record, according to the National Weather Service.

Passengers at Chicago's two airports are still feeling the effects of the winter weather, however.

Flights at O'Hare Airport are running about 45 minutes behind schedule Wednesday night, and airlines have canceled more than 135 flights. Airlines canceled "just a few" flights at Midway Airport, but passengers there are coping with delays up to 90 minutes, according to the city's Department of Aviation.

Anyone headed to the airport should check the flight status with airlines before leaving home Wednesday evening, the department suggests.

During the evening commute, the city sent 199 plows onto Lake Shore Drive and the main routes, and advised drivers to be cautious. The Illinois Tollway also deployed its full fleet of 182 trucks.

Snow flurries will continue overnight, according to the weather service. We won't see any additional accumulation, but blowing snow could reduce visibility for drivers north of Interstate 88.

Cold temperatures are hitting the city along with the flurries -- the wind chill will be as low as minus-1 degree Wednesday night with gusts up to 35 miles per hour, according to the weather service.