Thanksgiving Travelers Face Major Snow, Freezing Rain Across Midwest

A broad winter storm moved through the central United States on November 29, dumping heavy snow and freezing rain across the Midwest and Great Lakes as millions of people tried to complete holiday travel. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and advisories that spanned from Montana across the Plains and into Ohio, and forecasters cautioned that rapid snowfall rates and icy surfaces would make driving treacherous and could disrupt air travel during one of the nation’s busiest travel periods.

The system brought a mix of precipitation that left some corridors slushy and others coated in more than a glaze of ice. Forecasters warned of heavy snowfall rates in localized bands, and river of moisture streaming from the southern Plains collided with a cold Arctic air mass to create sharp contrasts in conditions across relatively short distances. The National Weather Service also highlighted the risk of freezing rain in parts of the Great Lakes corridor, elevating the hazards for bridges, overpasses and untreated surfaces.

Airport operations were under strain as airlines and passengers confronted possible delays and cancellations. Officials warned that the timing of the storm, coinciding with the end of the Thanksgiving holiday, would exacerbate the logistical challenges for carriers and for passengers trying to rebook flights. Road travel was equally affected, with state transportation agencies deploying plows and salt trucks while urging motorists to allow extra time, carry emergency supplies and avoid unnecessary travel until surfaces were cleared.

Local authorities in affected states emphasized safety guidance for communities facing a mix of snow and ice. Emergency managers advised drivers to reduce speed and maintain larger following distances when roads were wet, slushy or glazed in ice, and to prepare for limited visibility during heavy snowfall bursts. Utilities in some regions kept crews on standby to respond to outages that can follow ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs.

The broader economic effects of the storm were likely to be felt beyond the immediate inconvenience to travelers. Even moderate disruptions during peak holiday travel can ripple through air and ground logistics, increasing costs for carriers, delaying freight deliveries and raising the risk of perishable goods being delayed in transit. For households, unplanned delays and potential vehicular damage can add to holiday expenses at a time when consumer spending typically rises.

As the storm system moved eastward on November 29, forecasts called for gradual clearing in some western sectors while lake effect snow and residual ice threats persisted through the Great Lakes region. Officials urged residents to monitor local advisories and to heed road closure notices. With winter weather statistics showing that late November systems frequently produce concentrated disruptions, forecasters said preparedness and cautious travel decisions remained the best tools to limit harm and keep critical transportation networks moving during the holiday period.