UPDATE: A major winter storm is wreaking havoc across the Midwest and Great Lakes region, dramatically disrupting travel as millions of Americans return home following Thanksgiving.
The storm, which began Saturday morning, has already led to significant delays at major airports, including Chicago and St. Louis, where travelers are experiencing wait times of approximately one hour. Meteorologists are warning of yet another winter storm that could bring 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 spanning from Montana to Ohio, anticipating that some areas could receive more than 8 inches of snow by Saturday evening. In a critical incident, at least 45 vehicles crashed on westbound Interstate 70 near Terre Haute, Indiana, leading to highway closures; fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.
Snowfall has already topped 8 inches in parts of northern Iowa, while other regions including Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan are predicted to experience similar accumulations. Forecasters expect snow to fall at rates exceeding one inch per hour in some areas, creating perilous conditions for both air and ground travel.
The storm’s effects are not confined to the Midwest; a weather system is poised to deliver 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 contend with slushy, snow-covered roads.
Authorities stress that conditions have not yet met blizzard warning criteria, which require sustained winds of at least 35 mph, visibility under a quarter mile, and duration exceeding three hours.
“Stay home, have a nice cup of hot chocolate, watch some TV, play some games,” said Sheriff Del Garcia of Grant County, Indiana, in a statement to the Associated Press.
AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny told Newsweek: “The corridor to face the most notable disruptions with the weekend storm includes those within the six-to-12-inch snow bands, which includes Des Moines, IA; Chicago, IL; Green Bay, WI; Milwaukee, WI; and Grand Rapids, MI. These locations are projected to pick up the heaviest snowfall rates and totals from the start of the weekend into part of the day on Sunday, which could make for rather challenging and dangerous at times.”
Looking ahead, the forecast remains critical. Travelers are urged to keep a close watch on weather updates as the current storm system continues to impact the region, with a potential second storm forecasted to approach the Northeast early next week. Hazardous road conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend, keeping airport delays likely as snow continues to fall.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
