Major Winter Storm Snarls Post-Thanksgiving Travel Across US Midwest and Great Lakes

Widespread Disruptions Impact Holiday Travelers

A significant winter storm swept across the United States over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, from approximately November 25 to November 30, 2025, causing extensive travel disruptions across the central and northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions. The storm brought heavy snowfall, strong winds, and hazardous conditions, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and delays, as well as treacherous road conditions for millions returning home after the holiday.

Air Travel Chaos at Major Hubs

Airports across the affected regions experienced severe operational challenges. On Saturday, November 29, nearly 2,000 flights were canceled nationwide, with an additional 615 flights grounded on Sunday, November 30. Flight-tracking service FlightAware reported 490 cancellations and 1,815 delays across the U.S. on Sunday morning alone. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was particularly hard-hit, with over 800 cancellations on Saturday and more than 1,400 flights canceled at Chicago airports by Saturday afternoon. O'Hare also saw 1,293 cancellations and 1,062 delays on Saturday, with 276 additional cancellations and 53-minute delays on Sunday morning. Over 25% of all flight delays nationwide were attributed to O'Hare.

Other major airports, including those in Minneapolis, Des Moines, Boston, and Detroit, also faced significant disruptions, with Detroit airports reporting over 300 delays and dozens of cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an operations plan highlighting 'Heavy snow and ice in the Upper Great Lakes and moving east' as a major constraint. Compounding the weather-related issues, some flight disruptions were also linked to mandatory software upgrades for Airbus A320 aircraft.

Hazardous Road Conditions and Incidents

Ground travel was equally impacted by the severe weather. Winter storm warnings and advisories stretched from Montana to Ohio, with blizzard warnings issued for parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Snowfall rates of more than an inch per hour were reported in some areas, leading to low visibility, blowing snow, and slick conditions.

Numerous road incidents occurred, including a 45-vehicle pileup that closed westbound Interstate 70 near Terre Haute, Indiana. Another 50-vehicle pileup was reported on I-70 in Terre Haute, and several tractor-trailers jackknifed on Interstate 65. Minnesota experienced 104 crashes and over 120 spinouts. In Des Moines, Iowa, a Delta Air Lines plane reportedly skidded off a runway during landing. Authorities, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Transportation, urged travelers to avoid non-essential road travel.

Significant Snowfall Totals

The storm delivered substantial snowfall across the region. Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday, November 29, marking a new record for the snowiest November day in Chicago. The Chicago metro area generally saw between 7 to 10 inches. In Des Moines, Iowa, 10.9 inches accumulated through Sunday midnight. Some areas experienced even heavier totals, with Bear Lake, Michigan, and Westmoreland, New York, reporting over 25 inches. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and far northern Wisconsin were hit with 17 to 30 inches of snow, accompanied by 55 mph wind gusts. Lake-effect snow warnings were also in effect for areas near Lakes Erie and Ontario in New York, where up to 20 inches could fall.

As the holiday weekend concluded, forecasters warned of another storm system expected to develop on Monday and move towards the East Coast by Tuesday, potentially bringing heavy snow to the northern mid-Atlantic and New England regions.