Midwest Winter Storm Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel: Heavy Snow Causes Flight Delays and Interstate Closures

Snow-covered roads and slow travel were reported across Iowa and northern Illinois and Indiana as a significant Midwest snowstorm disrupted Thanksgiving travel plans.

A major winter storm system affecting the Midwest and Great Lakes regions brought early winter conditions to Thanksgiving travelers, with forecasters indicating that the northeastern United States could face its own winter storm in the coming week.

The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and advisories spanning from Montana to Ohio. Meteorologists cautioned that some areas could experience snowfall exceeding one inch (2.5 centimeters) per hour, potentially causing airport delays and slowed traffic conditions.

By Saturday morning, the storm had deposited more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow across northern Iowa. Similar accumulations were anticipated for Chicago and other areas across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.

Morning flights at Chicago and St. Louis airports experienced delays of approximately one hour according to FlightAware.com, complicating one of the year's busiest travel periods following the Thanksgiving holiday.

In Chicago, wind conditions caused icicles to form at angles on piers, while Lake Michigan displayed choppy waters with visible whitecaps. Motorists proceeded cautiously on snow-covered and slushy roadways.

Travel disruptions were widespread across Iowa and northern regions of Illinois and Indiana due to snow-covered roads.

Near Terre Haute, Indiana, westbound Interstate 70 was closed around midday following a multi-vehicle incident involving at least 45 vehicles, according to Indiana State Police social media reports.

Officials noted that while no serious injuries occurred, reopening the highway would require approximately six hours. State troopers were simultaneously assisting eastbound motorists who were sliding off the roadway, according to Sgt. Matt Ames.

In Grant County, located about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis, Sheriff Del Garcia urged residents to remain at home, suggesting they "have a nice cup of hot chocolate, watch some TV, play some games."

The wintry conditions affected sporting events across the region, including the traditional season-ending rivalry game between No. 1 Ohio State and 15th ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where snow was falling. Other matchups, including Northwestern versus Illinois, also faced similar weather challenges.

Meteorologists noted that while conditions were severe, they had not yet met the technical criteria for blizzard warnings, which require winds of at least 35 mph (56 kph), visibility less than a quarter mile (400 meters), and duration exceeding three hours.

The weather system was also expected to generate thunderstorms and potential heavy rainfall from southern Missouri to Louisiana and Texas on Saturday.

Looking ahead, forecasters predicted that another winter storm would likely affect the region on Monday and Tuesday, bringing freezing rain and ice to the Appalachians and the possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall throughout the interior Northeast.