Widespread Power Outages and Travel Delays in Central US

Central USA
Image: A car is seen off the road after the driver of the vehicle lost control and ended up in the trees in Davenport, Iowa, Friday morning, Dec. 28, 2007.

CHICAGO — A storm swept across the northern half of Illinois on Friday, dumping several inches of snow that delighted winter-sports enthusiasts and caused fresh headaches for holiday travelers.

More than 450 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport by early afternoon and delays averaged 90 minutes, said aviation officials. Delays at Midway Airport were about an hour, though it did not report any cancelations.

The snow began falling in Chicago during the morning rush hour, coming down in fat, wet flakes and swirling in gentle winds off Lake Michigan. The National Weather Service issued a snow advisory for parts of northern and western Illinois through Friday night, with accumulations that could reach six inches.