Winter Storm 2015 Forecast Update - Hundreds of Flights Canceled in Chicago; Rain Expected Across Northeast

By Jose Serrano (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Mar 23, 2015 10:09 PM EDT

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A change of season hasn't stopped record snowfall from falling along the eastern seaboard.

New Jersey has already seen more snow in the Garden State than it has in the last 22 years. On Friday, up to seven inches fell in Ocean and Monmouth counties as a result of Winter Storm Ultima's arrival, concluding in the 18^th time at least two inches have fallen in at least one state county.

The newest blizzard dropped 8.3 inches of snow in New Canaan, Connecticut and 7.3 in Lynnport, Pennsylvania on Friday; the first day of the Spring Equinox. In all, over 30 million people in the Northeast were affected by winter weather advisories.

While a pair of low pressure systems will bring the highest temperatures so far this year in New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia later this week, they also bring steady rain and possible thunderstorms.

18.6" of snow has fallen at Central Park in March 2015 so far. The last March Central Park was this snowy was 1960 when 18.5" of snow fell.

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) March 22, 2015

"The abundant sunshine from earlier this week will not hang on through Wednesday and Thursday to compliment milder air," said AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski. Drier conditions will move in Friday with some snow showers over New England and portions of New York and Pennsylvania. In Chicago, an advisory was in effect until midday Monday after the city expected between two and five inches of snow by early afternoon.

Rockford set new record for daily snowfall for March 23. Total so far today is 5.1 inches. Previous record was 1.9" in 1965. — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) March 23, 2015

The city's Department of Streets and Sanitation deploying over 280 pieces of plows and salt spreaders in an effort to alleviate white-out driving conditions that lead to numerous accidents, one including Gov. Bruce Rauner's motorcade.

By Monday night, O'Hare International Airport already had more than 291 flights cancelled, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. Midway International Airport had 83 flights shut down, each cancellation or delay due to snow.

Due to Chicago weather, airlines at ORD are reporting 500+ cancellations and an avg. delay of 1 hour. Pls check flight status w/ airline. — O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 23, 2015

Forecasters are cautioning that driving conditions can get more dangerous as snow turns to sleet. Rain heads into the Windy City Tuesday night and continues into Wednesday, followed by warmer air and 60-degree temperatures later in the week.