High winds and heavy snow across the Midwest delay more
than 1,500 flights and snarl roadways.
A powerful Thanksgiving storm has dropped up to three feet of snow in parts of the Midwest, with winds reaching 60 mph.
More than 1,500 flights were delayed, and road conditions have become treacherous.
A major winter storm barreled across the Midwest over the Thanksgiving holiday, delivering up to three feet of snow in some areas and winds nearing 60 miles per hour. The combination of heavy snowfall and strong gusts reduced visibility to near zero at times, forcing authorities to issue widespread travel advisories.
Airports in key hubs reported more than 1,500 flight delays as airlines struggled to de-ice planes, manage crew schedules and reposition aircraft. Passengers faced long lines, missed connections and last-minute cancellations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
On the ground, state and local agencies deployed plows and emergency crews to keep major highways open, but blowing snow and drifting made many secondary roads dangerous or impassable. Officials urged drivers to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary and to prepare emergency kits if they ventured out.
Meteorologists say storms of this intensity are becoming a recurring challenge for holiday travel as climate patterns shift. For families hoping to reunite, the latest system served as a reminder of how quickly weather can upend even the most carefully planned Thanksgiving trips.
