A powerful snowstorm sweeping across the Midwest has caused widespread travel disruptions, grounding hundreds of flights and creating hazardous road conditions, including a 45-car collision on an Indiana highway, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to FlightAware.
According to FlightAware data, more than 1,400 flights nationwide were canceled on Saturday, with the majority of disruptions concentrated in the upper Midwest. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the hardest hit, recording over 930 cancellations and more than 750 delays. Departures to O’Hare are currently delayed by an average of five hours due to snow and ice, as reported by the FAA.
Chicago Midway International Airport also faced significant disruptions, with 187 canceled flights and 85 delays. Both airports implemented ground stops to manage the backlog.
In Putnamville, Indiana, located south of Indianapolis, state authorities reported a massive 45-car pileup on Interstate 70 that temporarily shut down the highway. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported according to state police.
Millions of residents across the region are under winter weather alerts as the storm is forecast to push into the Great Lakes by Saturday night. Snow accumulation of over half a foot is expected from central Iowa through southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Indiana, and western Michigan.
Travel conditions remain extremely dangerous, with heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and whiteout situations expected to continue through Sunday morning. Following the storm, a cold blast will settle over the Northern U.S., with temperatures dropping 10 to 20 degrees below the early December average.
Meteorologists also warn of another winter storm expected to impact the region next week.
Earlier we wrote that DC National Guard Shooting Suspect Faces First-Degree Murder After Victim’s Death.
