The snowstorm hits the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes with severe intensity. By Wednesday morning, highways are buried under heavy snow, with winds whipping at 40-45 mph, making driving conditions near impossible. In Minneapolis and Wisconsin, blizzards create hazardous conditions, while Michigan’s Upper Peninsula faces up to 30 inches of snow.
Airports are struggling, with over 2,300 flights delayed by Wednesday afternoon. For more than 82 million Thanksgiving travelers, a second major winter storm is set to impact 40+ states beginning Friday—disrupting much of the nation’s holiday plans.
Why It’s Happening
Two major storm systems are affecting travel. The first sweeps across the Great Lakes, causing lake-effect snow falling at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Wind gusts reach 45 mph, creating whiteout conditions.
Blizzard warnings affect over 13 million residents in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with up to 30 inches of snow expected in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A second major winter storm is forecast to develop by Friday, impacting 40+ states with heavy snow and rain through the weekend, driven by a powerful jet stream pattern.
Airports Frozen in Chaos
By Wednesday afternoon, over 2,300 flights were delayed across the United States. Major airports like Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis-St. Paul faced significant disruptions. Chicago O’Hare experienced a ground stop early Wednesday due to snow and ice.
The FAA also issued ground stops at LaGuardia, Newark, and JFK airports in New York. Airlines are preparing for continued delays as storms move eastward during peak Thanksgiving travel, with American Airlines operating 81,000 flights over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Highways Turn Into Deathtraps
The storm’s severe impact extends to roadways, with icy and snow-covered conditions causing major disruptions. Between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, more than 250 crashes were reported, with 30 resulting in injuries. More than 30 semi-trucks jackknifed on Minnesota highways.
Interstate 94 was closed Tuesday evening into overnight hours. Interstate 29 was shut down early Wednesday morning between Fargo, North Dakota and Watertown, South Dakota. The National Weather Service urged travelers to restrict movement to emergencies only.
Lake-Effect Snow Intensifies
As the first system clears the Upper Midwest, a historic lake-effect snow event is developing. The Great Lakes Snowbelt in Ohio, Pennsylvania, western New York, and Tug Hill Plateau are expected to receive significant accumulations.
The worst snow is expected on Thanksgiving Day, with areas downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario potentially receiving up to 20 inches of lake-effect snow. Blizzard conditions will create hazardous travel situations across the entire region.
Post-Thanksgiving Storm Sets Up
A second major winter storm is developing in the Pacific Northwest and will move into the Rockies by Friday. Snow will begin Friday across the northern Rockies and northern Plains, then intensify across the central U.S. by Saturday.
Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit are expected to see 5-12 inches of snow, with the heaviest amounts in Iowa and the Upper Midwest. This system will bring heavy rain to the South, with potential for flash flooding in eastern Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and the Southeast.
Nearly 90% of Travelers on the Road
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 90% of the 82 million Thanksgiving travelers are driving rather than flying or using other transportation methods.
With two major storm systems affecting the nation, highways face unprecedented congestion combined with severe weather, creating dangerous conditions for the millions of drivers on America’s roadways during the holiday period.
Blizzard Zones Isolated
More than 13 million people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are facing blizzard conditions. Snow accumulations of up to 30 inches are predicted in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
With 45 mph winds, visibility drops to near zero. Roads become blocked by drifts, and residents face severe winter conditions with substantial blowing and drifting snow making travel virtually impossible.
Power Grid Impacts
According to PowerOutage.us, the storm impacted more than 71,000 customers across multiple states. Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana experienced the most significant outages.
Strong winds contributed to tree damage and power line failures, leading to power disruptions across affected regions. Utilities remained on alert to respond to outages as the storm continued through Wednesday.
Storm-Related Fatality
A 69-year-old man was killed in Alden Township, Minnesota (approximately 180 miles northeast of Minneapolis) after being crushed by a snow-laden tree that fell during the storm, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident highlighted the dangerous conditions created by heavy, wet snow combined with strong winds.
Arctic Air to Follow
After both storms pass, a powerful surge of Arctic air will sweep across the nation through the first week of December. Temperatures are forecast to be 10-20 degrees below normal across the Plains and Midwest.
Lows are potentially dropping below zero Fahrenheit in the Northern Plains and into the single digits across the Midwest, creating dangerous wind chills.
Chicago O’Hare Ground Stop
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs, experienced a ground stop early Wednesday morning due to heavy snow and icy conditions.
Subsequent ground delays were issued as the airport worked to clear runways and resume operations. The disruption at this major hub cascaded delays across the entire U.S. flight network.
Crash Data and Road Closures
Between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, more than 250 vehicle crashes were reported across the Upper Midwest, with at least 30 resulting in injuries. Beyond semi-truck jackknifes, multiple roads remained closed or impassable.
State transportation departments urged extreme caution and strongly advised against non-essential travel during the peak of the storm.
International Travel Complications
International travelers faced extended delays and cancellations as major hub airports experienced disruptions. With limited rebooking options due to system-wide delays, some international visitors faced accommodation challenges.
Many travelers experienced extended waits at airports as the storm’s ripple effects extended across multiple flight operations and international connections.
U.S. Passenger Protections Gap
Unlike Europe, where travelers may be compensated for delays, U.S. passengers currently receive limited compensation when weather impacts their flights. The Trump administration withdrew a proposed rule on November 14, 2025, that would have required airlines to provide compensation for travel disruptions.
American passengers currently rely on airline discretion for meal vouchers and occasional hotel accommodations during extended delays, creating a significant difference from European passenger protections.
Sources:
National Weather Service Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories; NWS Thanksgiving 2025 Forecast Updates
American Automobile Association (AAA) Thanksgiving 2025 Travel Forecast; AAA Travel Analysis Report on 82 Million Holiday Travelers
Federal Aviation Administration Daily Air Traffic Report; FAA Newsroom Flight Delay and Ground Stop Data November 26, 2025
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Incident Report; Minnesota State Patrol Crash Statistics and Highway Closure Reports November 25-26, 2025