Flight Delays Hit Us the storm dumped more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow on northern Iowa by Saturday morning.
Winter storm warnings and advisories extended from Montana to Ohio, the National Weather Service said. Forecasters warned there could be airport delays and slowed traffic with snow falling at more than an inch per hour in some areas.
The storm dumped more than 8 inches of snow on northern Iowa by Saturday morning, and at least that much was expected in Chicago, elsewhere in Illinois, and in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.
Snowfall rates exceeding 1″/hour are expected, especially through the day Saturday, leading to storm total accumulations between 6-12,” the NWS said Saturday morning. “The combination of heavy snow rates along with gusty winds will create dangerous travel conditions due to limited visibility and snow-covered roadways.”
More than 800 flights leaving and coming to Chicago O’Hare International Airport were cancelled on Saturday, according to FlightAware. More than 500 flights in and out of the airport were delayed.
Nearly 82 million people were estimated to travel at least 50 miles for the holiday, with 6 million expected to travel by plane, according to AAA.
Car crashes related to the winter storm were also reported, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol posting on social media Saturday morning that it was investigating at least nine crashes in the central part of the state. Officials are warning travelers to stay off the roads.
“As snow makes its way across Missouri, continue to delay your travel in the heaviest weather impacted areas, if possible,” the Missouri Department of Transportation said in a social media post. Airports in Chicago and St. Louis reported delays of about an hour in the morning, according to FlightAware.com, as one of the busiest travel days cranked up after Thanksgiving.
