- Another powerful winter storm caused travel woes for Americans returning home from the Thanksgiving holidays.
- According to the National Weather Service, snow is expected across vast swaths of the country between eastern California and the upper Midwest this weekend.
- Travel conditions may be hazardous for drivers, and airlines at O'Hare International and Midway International in Chicago reported average delays of 15 minutes, according to the Associated Press.
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There were reportedly 27 flights canceled at O'Hare and two at Midway, and 100 flights were canceled Saturday at Denver International Airport due to high winds.
- Earlier this week, back-to-back winter storms hit Colorado and parts of the Pacific northwest, causing more than 450 flight cancellations at Denver International Airport.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Another severe winter storm is threatening travel plans, as snow and rain are expected in the 2,000-mile stretch between eastern California and the Midwest this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), between 8 inches and 18 inches of snow are expected from the northern Rockies into Minnesota, Wisconsin, and upper Michigan.
The NWS warned to expect heavy snow in California and blizzard conditions from the upper Midwest to the northeast.
Two storms, one in the West and the other in the Cntrl U.S. will impact post Thanksgiving trvl this weekend. Expect hvy mtn snow and lwr elev rain in CA, and hvy snow and blizzard conditions from the Upr Midwest to the Northeast w/ areas of significant ice accumulations. pic.twitter.com/jsoe2Bqjiw
— National Weather Service (@NWS) November 30, 2019
Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota already received nearly 10 inches of snow just prior to the Thanksgiving holidays. The cities' local NWS reported that the "break from winter weather will be brief with another large storm system impacting the region Friday through the weekend."
Travelers trying to drive along Interstates 90 and 94 through Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas may be faced with up to 36 inches of snow in the Black Hills of South Dakota, according to AccuWeather.
"Blizzard conditions can occur in part of this swath. The visibility could be so low at times it may be difficult to determine where the road surface actually is," AccuWeather reported.
Sacramento's National Weather Service is also discouraging travelers from driving through northern California's Sierra mountains, as "another significant winter storm is expected" this weekend.
🛑 Heads up! Another significant winter storm is expected to impact #NorCal this weekend. Mountain travel is DISCOURAGED Saturday afternoon through early Sunday.
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 27, 2019
🛣️ Best travel window is Friday through Saturday AM. #cawx pic.twitter.com/bJis3uFUQR
Snow started falling Saturday afternoon, and parts of northern California like Squaw Valley, Soda Springs, and Donner Summit have already been hit with 2 feet to 3 feet of snow in the past several days.
An impending nor'easter
These blizzard conditions in the west and Midwest will likely make their way over to New England by Saturday night. The storm is expected to reach Virginia and Pennsylvania tomorrow and hit New York Sunday morning. According to the National Weather Service in Albany, the storm could bring a mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet.
The impending precipitation is likely to hamper travelers returning to New York City and Philadelphia on Sunday and Monday.
NBC's Storm Team NYC warned travelers: "Sunday-Monday = mess. Pack your patience if you're traveling."
Sunday-Monday = mess. Pack your patience if you're traveling. pic.twitter.com/WJJbswInlJ
— Storm Team 4 NY (@StormTeam4NY) November 29, 2019
Snow in the desert
In the southern US, the same winter weather band has already caused several inches of snow in the California desert outside Los Angeles.
Heavy snow in California's High Desert region! Heckuva way to end an interminably long fire season! #CAwx #CAfire https://t.co/Ip0HEEb1E3
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) November 29, 2019
Flagstaff, Arizona, received 4 inches of snow Friday morning, and several inches of snow were expected in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, by Saturday.
Drivers may have to make alternative travel arrangements due to the impending snow, but fliers may also need to make new plans — there were reportedly 27 flights canceled at O'Hare on Saturday and two at Midway, and 100 flights were canceled at Denver International Airport due to high winds.
Earlier this week, back-to-back winter storms hit Colorado and parts of the Pacific northwest, causing more than 450 flight cancellations at Denver International Airport.
Michelle Mark and the Associated Press contributed reporting.
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