US Faces Storm and Travel Chaos Amid Busiest Thanksgiving Season

Over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2025 (November 27 through November 30), parts of the US Midwest and Great Lakes regions are bracing for a powerful storm as an estimated 82 million Americans travel for the holiday.

The National Weather Service has issued a storm watch calling for heavy snowfall of six to ten inches across Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday evening.

Forecasters say the incoming Arctic cold front will bring a sharp drop in temperatures along with wind gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour. These conditions are expected to create hazardous roads and flight disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Some areas, particularly Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, could see snowfall totals climb to nearly two feet, with lake-effect bands intensifying accumulation downwind of the Great Lakes.

These conditions have already caused delays for more than 800 flights on the morning of November 27, mostly in northern states dealing with early waves of snow and strong winds.

Meanwhile, airports have largely recovered from challenges caused by the recent government shutdown, which led to operational strain and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Although airlines and airports are now better positioned to manage the increased holiday travel volume, travelers in the affected regions are still advised to expect delays, allow extra time, and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash