A significant winter storm is on track to hit the central United States and the Rocky Mountains right after the Thanksgiving holiday, potentially disrupting travel plans for millions heading home.
The FOX Prediction Center notes that a weakening jet stream across the northern U.S., combined with an influx of arctic air, will lead to a low-pressure system forming in the central Rockies and Plains. This system is expected to bring snow from Friday through early Saturday.
Higher elevations in the Rockies may receive several inches of snow, while Denver could see about 1 to 3 inches by Monday. This marks a notable change after over 200 days without snowfall.
In the Midwest, regions such as Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and Illinois are predicted to get between 5 to 8 inches of snow. Major cities—including Des Moines, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison—should prepare for substantial snowfall.
The FOX Prediction Center also mentions the chance of locally heavy snowfall, particularly near the Great Lakes.
Travel disruptions are likely, especially at major airports such as Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway, Milwaukee Mitchell International, and Detroit Metropolitan, as travelers return from their holidays starting Friday. The travel impact may extend into Monday.
On the warmer side of this system, there’s potential for strong southerly winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. Already saturated areas in the South, such as Dallas, Nashville, and Little Rock, could face additional heavy rainfall.
A Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk has been issued for eastern Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana through Saturday, with widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches likely into Sunday.
Blizzard warning, dangerous conditions due to pre-Thanksgiving storm
At the same time, another winter storm has prompted blizzard warnings across the Upper Midwest, bringing consecutive rounds of winter weather until Friday.
Blizzard warnings are still active for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan until Friday.
As of Wednesday morning, over 1,100 flights in the U.S. had been delayed or canceled due to the winter storm, according to FlightAware. Parts of North and South Dakota had already received between 8 to 12 inches of snow by that same morning.
