That is correct. The Sunday after Thanksgiving (today, November 30th) is historically one of the busiest travel days of the entire year, and a major winter storm is severely impacting millions of people heading home.
Here is a summary of the weather's impact on this peak travel day:
❄️ Major Winter Storm in the Midwest and Great Lakes
The most severe travel disruptions are due to a major winter storm that is still affecting the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
* Road Conditions: Widespread heavy snow, strong wind gusts, and limited visibility (near whiteout conditions) have created treacherous driving conditions across multiple states, including Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. State police in some areas have urged travelers to stay off the roads.
* Air Travel Chaos: Key travel hubs are experiencing major problems:
* Chicago O'Hare (ORD): As of Saturday, the airport saw over a thousand flight cancellations, with major delays continuing to ripple through the system.
* Detroit (DTW), Milwaukee (MKE), and Minneapolis (MSP): These and other regional airports are also facing significant cancellations and delays due to snow, ice, and wind.
🌧️ Rain and Flooding Risk in the South
The southern side of the storm system is bringing different challenges:
* Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms: Parts of Texas, Louisiana, and the Mississippi River Valley are experiencing heavy rain and a risk of isolated flooding, which can cause delays at major airports like Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH).
💨 East Coast/Northeast
* Today (Sunday): Rain and wintry mix are expected in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, which could cause flight and road delays in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
* Looking Ahead (Tuesday): Forecasters are already tracking a new storm system that is expected to affect the East Coast on Tuesday, bringing more heavy rain to the Southeast and moderate to heavy snow to the interior Northeast, posing a second wave of problems for those who delayed their travel.
Travelers are strongly advised to check their flight status and road conditions before leaving, and to prepare for long delays and possible rerouting.
Do you have travel plans today, or would you like to check the forecast for a specific city?
Posts
0 Comments