Chilly temperatures and snowy roads spread across the Midwest this weekend

A powerful winter storm is causing significant travel disruptions and heavy snowfall across multiple Midwestern states on November 29, while the southern United States faces thunderstorms and heavy rain, according to forecasters.

The National Weather Service described the storm as "major," with heavy snow sweeping through the central and northern Plains and advancing across the Midwest and Great Lakes region. Snowfall could reach rates exceeding one inch per hour during the day, with total accumulations forecasted between 6 and 12 inches.

Winter storm warnings are in place for nearly 32 million people in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. An additional 20 million are under winter weather advisories. The National Weather Service warned that "the combination of heavy snow rates along with gusty winds will create dangerous travel conditions due to limited visibility and snow-covered roadways."

The storm is expected to cover a stretch of approximately 1,200 miles, according to AccuWeather, potentially affecting millions of Americans traveling home after Thanksgiving. AAA predicted a record 81.8 million people would travel more than 50 miles over the holiday.

By midday on November 29, Chicago's O'Hare airport experienced 587 delays and 856 cancellations, the highest impact at any airport so far that day, according to FlightAware.com. Snow was accumulating on roads at rates between one-quarter and one-half inch per hour, with peak snowfall expected between noon and 8 p.m. local time.

State authorities are urging caution. The Illinois Department of Transportation posted: "There is snow on the ground. Please avoid unnecessary travel if possible, and give crews room to keep the roads safe."

Other major airports likely to see delays include Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City.

Meanwhile, severe weather in the South is bringing showers, thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible tornadoes to parts of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. These storms are driven by moist Gulf air ahead of an eastward-moving cold front. Moderate to heavy rain along the western Gulf Coast may lead to localized flash flooding.

Looking ahead to November 30, a low-pressure system will move northeast from the Great Lakes into southeastern Canada, spreading a wintry mix into the Northeast and New England, while rain is expected in the Mid-Atlantic and Tennessee Valley regions.

Author: Sophia Brooks