Cross-country winter storm disrupts post-Thanksgiving travel across Midwest and beyond

A large and powerful winter storm is disrupting post-Thanksgiving travel across the country, bringing heavy snowfall, dangerous icy conditions, and hazardous roads to millions heading home after the holiday. Nearly 49 million people are under winter weather alerts as the storm moves from the Rockies through the Midwest and into the Great Lakes.

More than 650 U.S. flights were canceled and over 6,000 were delayed Sunday afternoon, with Chicago O’Hare International Airport experiencing the biggest issues. The airport recorded 8.4 inches of snow Saturday, breaking its November snowfall record. More than 1,100 flights were canceled there Saturday alone.

Travel troubles have extended into Iowa, where a Delta Connection flight slid off a Des Moines runway Saturday night amid icy conditions. The airport temporarily suspended operations before reopening Sunday. No injuries were reported and the plane will be moved once cleared by federal investigators.

Ground travel has been equally challenging. Iowa authorities have rescued nearly 200 people stuck in roadside ditches. In Indiana, a pileup involving 35 cars and 10 semitrucks shut down Interstate 70 near Terre Haute for hours. Officials in Illinois urged drivers to stay off roads if possible as crews struggle to keep up with the intense snowfall and strong winds.

The storm is expected to sweep eastward through Sunday, bringing snow to the Great Lakes and rain into the South while plunging temperatures follow behind. Arctic air is forecast to push temperatures up to 30 degrees below normal for parts of the Midwest, with subzero lows possible by Monday morning.

Even those delaying their travel plans may face problems. A second storm system is expected to form early Monday, bringing additional snow to cities like Des Moines, St. Louis, and Chicago, and heavy rain to the Southeast and Gulf Coast.

Meteorological winter begins December 1, and forecasters say this blast of Arctic air may not be the last — a possible disruption to the polar vortex could lead to even colder outbreaks deeper into December.

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