Major Winter Storm Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel Across Midwest

UPDATE: A major winter storm is currently hammering the Midwest and Great Lakes region, causing significant delays in post-Thanksgiving travel. Heavy snowfall and perilous road conditions are affecting millions of Americans returning home after the holiday weekend.

The storm struck on Saturday, December 2, 2023, during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Major airports, including those in Chicago and St. Louis, reported delays averaging approximately one hour as travelers faced challenging conditions. Meteorologists warn of another storm bringing freezing rain and heavy snow to the Northeast early next week, potentially extending travel disruptions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisories from Montana to Ohio, with some areas expected to receive over 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning. Notably, over 45 vehicles were involved in crashes on westbound Interstate 70 near Terre Haute, Indiana, leading to severe highway closures, though no serious injuries were reported.

Northern Iowa has already recorded more than 8 inches of snow by early Saturday, with similar accumulations anticipated across Chicago, much of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Forecasters predict snow could fall at rates exceeding 1 inch per hour in some locations, creating hazardous conditions for both air and ground travel.

As the storm impacts the Midwest, it is also expected to bring thunderstorms and heavy rain from southern Missouri to Louisiana and Texas. Wind-driven icicles have formed on Chicago’s piers as Lake Michigan churns with whitecaps, while motorists navigate treacherous, snow-covered roads.

Conditions have yet to meet blizzard warning criteria, which requires sustained winds of at least 35 mph, visibility under a quarter mile, and a duration exceeding three hours.

In a statement to the press, Sheriff Del Garcia of Grant County, Indiana, advised residents, “Stay home, have a nice cup of hot chocolate, watch some TV, play some games.” AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny highlighted that the areas facing the most significant disruptions include Des Moines, IA, Chicago, IL, Green Bay, WI, and Milwaukee, WI. She warned that these locations are projected to experience the heaviest snowfall throughout the weekend.

Looking ahead, meteorologist Glenny emphasized the need to monitor the developing situation closely. A separate storm is anticipated to originate from the South-Central U.S. and move northeast through the Southeast, extending into the Northeast. This storm could produce substantial snowfall from Kansas and Nebraska through the Ohio Valley and into New England.

Travelers are urged to stay informed about weather forecasts as the current storm system moves through the region and prepare for potential disruptions next week. Hazardous road conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend in affected areas, with airport delays likely to continue as snowfall remains steady.

Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.