UPDATE: A major winter storm is currently hammering the Midwest and Great Lakes region, causing severe disruptions to travel just after Thanksgiving. Heavy snowfall and treacherous road conditions have affected millions of Americans attempting to return home, creating chaos on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The storm swept through the region early Saturday, November 25, 2023, with major airports in Chicago and St. Louis already reporting significant delays of approximately one hour. Weather experts warn that another winter storm could hit the Northeast early next week, potentially extending travel disruptions even further.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisories from Montana to Ohio, with some areas forecasted to receive over 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning. The situation is dire, as at least 45 vehicles were involved in crashes on westbound Interstate 70 near Terre Haute, Indiana, leading to highway closures, although no serious injuries have been reported.
Northern Iowa has already seen more than 8 inches of snow, with similar accumulations expected across Chicago, parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Forecasters have indicated that snowfall rates could exceed one inch per hour in certain locations, creating hazardous conditions for both air and ground travel.
The storm’s impact isn’t confined to the Midwest. The same weather system is expected to bring thunderstorms and heavy rain from southern Missouri to Louisiana and Texas. In Chicago, wind-driven icicles have formed on piers as Lake Michigan churns with whitecaps, while motorists navigate slushy and snow-covered roads across the affected areas.
Conditions currently do not meet blizzard criteria, which require sustained winds of at least 35 mph, visibility under a quarter mile, and a duration exceeding three hours. Nevertheless, the impact is significant.
In light of the storm’s severity, Sheriff Del Garcia of Grant County, Indiana, advised residents to stay home, saying, “
Stay home, have a nice cup of hot chocolate, watch some TV, play some games.
”
AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny warned that areas within the six-to-twelve-inch snow bands, including Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee, will experience the most notable disruptions. Glenny noted that travel will be challenging and potentially dangerous throughout the weekend.
As for what happens next, travelers are urged to monitor weather forecasts closely as the current storm system moves through the region. Another storm is anticipated to approach the Northeast early next week. Road conditions are expected to remain hazardous throughout the weekend in affected Midwest areas, with airport delays likely to continue as snow persists.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops, and prioritize safety if you are in the affected areas. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
