Severe Winter Weather Disrupts Travel Across Midwest and Northeast

Fri Dec 05 2025 05:39:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Travelers in the Midwest face significant disruptions due to a record-breaking snowstorm while the Northeast braces for its first major winter storm of the season.

Post-holiday travel has been heavily impacted by severe winter weather across the Midwest and Northeast. Chicago O'Hare International Airport witnessed over 8 inches of snow, causing major flight delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, the Northeast is preparing for its first significant snowstorm, with forecasts predicting up to a foot of snow in some areas. Road conditions remain hazardous, prompting travel warnings and winter preparations across the affected regions.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Black ice, snow showers, and fog have plagued post-holiday travelers in the Midwest. As the Northeast prepares for its first significant snowstorm of the season, Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded over 8 inches of snowfall, breaking a record for the highest single-day snowfall in November.

By early Sunday evening, more than 300 flights were canceled at O'Hare with about 1,600 delays. These disruptions are expected to continue into Monday as road conditions remain hazardous.

The Northeast is bracing for a storm, with some areas in northern New England expecting up to 10 inches of snow. Forecasters warn of a windy, icy storm that will impact various states.

Road crews in Pennsylvania are preparing for significant snowfall, with vehicle restrictions set to be imposed along the turnpike starting Tuesday morning. Over 600 maintenance workers are ready to clear the turnpike's 2,900 miles of snow lanes.

Travelers across Chicago and other affected regions are reporting significant delays. Don Herrian, a traveler at O'Hare, expressed frustration at the congestion caused by the snow and holiday traffic. Meanwhile, utility crews in Wisconsin are working to restore power to thousands following storm-related outages.

The storm’s effects extend well beyond air travel, as gusty winds and blowing snow create further difficulties on roads across Iowa and Illinois.

Looking ahead, meteorologists note that the current snow will taper off, but another storm is set to impact the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, with predictions of up to a foot of snow by Tuesday.