Travel chaos as powerful winter storm threatens flight delays and road safety for millions across the US starting TODAY

A strong winter storm is set to hit parts of the US Midwest and Great Lakes region this weekend, threatening flight delays and road safety for millions after the holiday. 

Winter Storm Watches are now in effect across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota, impacting around 50 million Americans.

Forecasters warned of potentially heavy snowfall, with accumulations of six to 12 inches or more possible in many areas, especially north of Interstate 70 and along and south of Interstate 90. 

The heaviest snow is currently expected across central and northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, southern and eastern Wisconsin, and lower Michigan, where totals could exceed eight to ten inches in some locations. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned travel will likely become very difficult to nearly impossible, particularly on Saturday, as roads, bridges, and overpasses turn slick and hazardous. 

Airports in Chicago, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids are already issuing ground-delay and de-icing alerts for Thursday night into Friday because crews are pre-positioning equipment and airlines are proactively canceling or delaying flights ahead of the weekend storm. 

The storm’s timing is especially concerning as millions are still returning home from Thanksgiving, likely creating significant disruptions to post-holiday travel. 

NWS offices recommended delaying travel if possible, keeping an emergency kit in vehicles and allowing extra time if travel is unavoidable.

Accumulating snow or ice is possible from central Kansas through the Ohio Valley and Appalachians, potentially reaching near the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts. 

Snow or ice could also affect southern areas, including the Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas and the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia. 

Some areas in southern Iowa, northern Missouri, and northeast Nebraska may see a wintry mix or light icing that could further complicate driving conditions. 

Winds gusting 25 to 40mph in parts of the region may also produce blowing snow and reduced visibility. 

The storm system will move from west to east across the Midwest, beginning in the Plains on Friday afternoon and spreading into the Great Lakes region by Saturday. 

The highest snow totals are favored north of a line from Macomb, Illinois, to Bloomington-Normal, where more than eight inches is possible, while areas south of I-70 may see five inches or more.

In Wisconsin, forecasters predict the possibility of 6 or more inches exceeds 70 to 95 percent along and south of I-90, with the bullseye currently aimed at southwest Wisconsin and the Fox Valley eastward to Green Bay. 

Northeast Iowa and far southwest Wisconsin also remain in the crosshairs for the heaviest bands.

In Michigan, lake-effect snow will add to totals along the Lake Michigan shoreline, with Ottawa and Muskegon counties potentially seeing 8 to 11 inches when combined with the synoptic system. 

Northwest Indiana and northeast Illinois, including the Chicago metro area, are under a Winter Storm Watch for at least 6 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Northern Indiana and northwest Ohio face a prolonged event that could stretch into Sunday afternoon.

Farther west, Sioux Falls has issued watches for six to ten inches across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota, with four to eight inches possible across much of eastern South Dakota. 

Omaha and Des Moines highlight a mix of snow and light ice, with gusty winds creating blowing snow and low visibility.

The NWS warned that roads may quickly become snow-covered and treacherous, especially on bridges and overpasses. 

Residents and travelers are strongly urged to stay updated, as forecast details (especially the rain/snow line in southern sections) could still shift in the coming 24–36 hours. 

This storm has the potential to be one of the most significant early-season events in recent years for the Midwest. 

A sharp cold snap will hit the Eastern US starting on Thanksgiving after a cold front sweeps through earlier in the week. 

Millions on the East Coast, who have enjoyed mild weather, will see temperatures plunge up to 15 degrees below average, reaching near-January levels and prompting freeze warnings in southern Georgia and northern Florida. 

AccuWeather meteorologists said: ‘As the storm swings into southern Canada later in the weekend, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is forecast for the northern portions of the Appalachians and the areas surrounding Lakes Erie and Ontario.

‘This includes the northern and western parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as western, central, and northern New York and northwestern New England from late Saturday night to Sunday.’