Parts of the US Midwest and Great Lakes region are bracing for a strong storm this weekend, as an estimated 82 million Americans travel for Thanksgiving. The storm has already caused flight delays, with more than 800 flights delayed on Thursday morning, most in the northern states.
According to the National Weather Service, heavy snow is likely in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, with accumulations of between six and ten inches from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. Hazardous conditions are expected to affect travel on Friday night.
Airports have largely recovered from the recent government shutdown, which had caused staffing shortages as thousands of federal employees worked without pay. Despite the delays, operations have stabilised.
In the north-east, temperatures are set to dip, with colder air extending across the eastern half of the US on Thursday and reaching Texas by Friday or Saturday, potentially clearing thunderstorms. Southern states are expected to remain warm, though a storm system is forecast near the Mississippi River valley on Saturday.
In New England, rain is expected, and the Pacific north-west may see snow. The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts 82 million people travelling by air and road, while FlightAware tracked 6,630 delayed US flights on Wednesday alone.
