Millions of Thanksgiving travellers face major delays as a powerful winter storm sweeps across 23 US states, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and hazardous roads. The storm, which began building in the Central US on Wednesday, is expected to last until Sunday, with some areas seeing snow continue into early next week.
AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danco warned that some highways may close due to heavy snowfall and potential chain-reaction accidents. The storm could dump up to three feet of snow in certain states, causing slick roads, whiteouts, and hours-long airport delays from Black Friday through at least Tuesday.
The initial storm will move from the Midwest eastward through Saturday, affecting Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and the Dakotas. Portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan could see up to 12 inches of snow by Sunday, with worst-case scenarios reaching 18 inches.
A lake-effect phase will then develop over the Great Lakes, with heavy bands stretching into the Northeast and New England. Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine could see up to six inches of snow between Monday and Tuesday. The lake-effect system may bring up to 36 inches of snow to parts of northern Michigan, northwestern Pennsylvania, and western New York.
Forecasters urged drivers on Interstates 75, 79, 80, 81, 86, 90, and 196 to monitor lake-effect and snow squall warnings. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings in several states, including Minnesota. AccuWeather's Dan DePodwin noted this will be the most widespread lake-effect snow event of the season so far.
