Holiday Travel Disrupted by Winter Storms Across the U.S.

Fri Dec 05 2025 14:43:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Thanksgiving travelers hit the roads, winter storm warnings extend from Montana to New York, bringing heavy snow and hazardous driving conditions.

A winter storm is impacting travel plans this Thanksgiving weekend, with significant snowfall expected particularly in the Midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. As travelers navigate icy roads, the National Weather Service warns of dangerous driving conditions and potential blizzard-like impacts in some areas.

Snow and chilly temperatures have already greeted some Thanksgiving travelers, and more could be on its way this holiday weekend with winter storm warnings in effect across much of the northern United States.

Warnings and advisories extend from Montana to New York, according to the National Weather Service. Snow began falling Friday and is projected to last throughout the weekend in certain areas, with Iowa and Illinois expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Forecasts predict 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) to a foot (30 centimeters) or more of snow in parts of west-central Illinois from Friday night through Saturday night.

As of now, conditions do not meet blizzard warning criteria, which requires winds of at least 35 mph (56 kph), visibilities of less than a quarter mile (400 meters), and lasting for over three hours, meteorologists stated.

A storm that earlier brought snowfall to parts of the northern Plains and the Great Lakes region continued into Friday. Snowfall totals of at least a foot are expected from the storm's progression, particularly in areas downwind of Lake Superior across northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula, as well as downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario.

Particularly in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, forecasts indicate more than a foot of snow is likely on Saturday.

Due to quick bursts of heavy snow and potentially dangerous whiteout conditions in driving conditions, the winter storm severity index has been activated, warning of hazardous driving in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois from Friday afternoon until midnight.

In the Pacific Northwest and Rockies, rain mixed with snow was expected on Friday. By Saturday, snowfall will taper off for the Rockies and northern Plains but will persist into the Midwest.

To the south, storms forecasted include some heavy rainfall, raising concerns over flash flooding in the western Gulf Coast.

Temperatures across eastern and central regions are well below average, with highs on Friday expected to be in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit in the Midwest, 30s and 40s in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, and the 40s and 50s in the Southeast.

The snowy conditions over Thanksgiving led to numerous vehicle crashes in western Michigan.