If your Thanksgiving weekend included travel through the Great Lakes region, you likely encountered more than just holiday leftovers – you faced a full-blown winter challenge! A powerful snowstorm swept through, stranding thousands of travelers, delaying flights, and setting new records.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport became the epicenter of frustration. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed as a record-breaking 8.4 inches of snow fell on Saturday, the highest single November day total ever at O’Hare. Travelers like 76-year-old Don Herrian, trying to get back to Oklahoma, and 25-year-old Will Barney, headed to Charlotte, endured hours of waiting in crowded terminals and multiple flight changes. Their patience was tested as travel plans crumbled.
The snow’s impact stretched far beyond Chicago. A Delta Connection flight even slid off an icy runway in Des Moines, Iowa, though thankfully no injuries were reported. Airports from Detroit to Minneapolis saw widespread delays and de-icing operations. Regions near Lake Michigan were blanketed by over a foot of snow, leading to power outages in Wisconsin and prompting churches to move services online. Fort Dodge, Iowa, saw an impressive 16+ inches!
But amid the travel woes, there was a bright spot: at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo, animals like Tim the brown bear gleefully rolled around in the fresh powder, enjoying their own winter wonderland.
As this storm finally tapers off, forecasters are already tracking a “significant” new system heading for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. This could bring up to a foot of snow by Tuesday, marking the first major snowfall of the season for many in that region. So, if your travel plans extend into next week, keep a close eye on those forecasts!
