A significant snowstorm is disrupting travel plans across the United States, bringing heavy snow from the Rockies to the Northeast. Major airports are experiencing cancellations and delays as winter weather conditions create hazardous travel scenarios.
Snowfall Impacts Across the Nation
As of Sunday morning, heavy snowfalls have spread across key regions, including the Great Lakes and the Northern Plains. Major cities like Chicago have reported significant snow accumulation.
- Canton, South Dakota: 9.4 inches
- Ames, Iowa: 8 inches
- Rockford, Illinois: 5.7 inches
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport: 4 inches
Forecasts indicate that many areas can expect an additional 2 to 5 inches of snow. Some regions in Iowa might see up to 8 inches of accumulation. The Northeast is expected to receive lighter snow, with total accumulations reaching up to 3 inches.
Travel Disruptions
The snowstorm has severely affected air travel, causing over 4,100 flight delays and 323 cancellations. Chicago O’Hare is a major hub for these disruptions, with more than 760 delays and 174 cancellations.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 870 delays and 64 cancellations
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 360 delays and 32 cancellations
Departures from Hartsfield-Jackson are averaging a 30-minute delay, while those heading to O’Hare are delayed by almost two hours, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Weather Conditions Beyond Snow
The Southeast and Northeast regions are also grappling with fog, leading to reduced visibility. This includes areas from Texas through Maryland. Alerts for fog are expected to clear soon as conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the Southeastern U.S. is encountering rainy weather, with parts of Florida and Georgia receiving over an inch of rain this weekend. Further rainfall accumulation of up to 2 inches is possible through Sunday night, though severe weather risk remains low.
Northwest Weather Warnings
An atmospheric river is projected to impact the Pacific Northwest, ushering in heavy rainfall and mountain snow. Flood alerts are in effect for over eight million residents in western Washington and Oregon.
- Expected rainfall totals: 2 to 5 inches
- Lower elevations of the Cascades and Olympics: 6 to 10 inches
- Winds along the coast: 30 to 50 mph, with gusts in Montana up to 70 mph
The first wave of moisture is set to hit Sunday, with significant rainfall and a risk of flash flooding expected to intensify from Monday morning onwards. Residents are encouraged to remain prepared for changing weather conditions.
