The journey home from Thanksgiving for millions of travelers in the central United States will be disrupted by a “significant winter storm,” National Weather Service forecasters said.
“A large area of accumulating snow will spread from the Rockies and High Plains to much of the Midwest over the weekend,” said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist in an online forecast. “Drivers and airline passengers alike should anticipate substantial travel delays.”
The National Weather Service said heavy snow accumulating to 6 inches to 12 inches or more “will create hazardous travel for many areas, including Des Moines, Chicago, and Milwaukee.”
Saturday, November 29 worst for travel
“The period from Saturday (Nov. 29) through Saturday night is likely to be the worst for travel, given that the snowstorm will be moving over such a large area,” said AccuWeather director of forecasting operations Carl Erickson.
By Saturday, Nov. 29, accumulating snow will likely be falling along a 1,200-mile stretch from west of Denver to east of Detroit, AccuWeather said.
Snow is forecast to fall during the college football game between Ohio State and Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon, the weather service said, although the heaviest snow will likely hold off until after the game.
Saturday night, the “winter mess will spread a bit farther into the Ohio Valley and Eastern Great Lakes,” Weather.com predicted in an online forecast.
More: Some of the Earth’s coldest extremes could be headed for the United States in December
Southern storms
While the north central United States deals with snow, heavy rain and potentially severe thunderstorms are forecast to disrupt the south central states on Saturday November 29th.
“Thunderstorms with heavy rain, and possibly some severe weather, will move across southern Oklahoma and Texas into the middle and lower Mississippi Valley,” Weather.com meteorologists said. “This could lead to local flooding and flight delays in both Dallas-Ft. Worth and Houston.”
The Storm Prediction Center said that “maybe even a tornado” is possible.
The national weather map for 7 am ET Saturday November 29, 2025, shows a large area of snow (in blue) over the north central United States rain is shown in green.
The storms will move east on Sunday, November 30
By Sunday, Nov. 30, a mix of snow, sleet and rain is forecast for the northern parts of the Appalachians and the areas around lakes Erie and Ontario, AccuWeather’s Sosnowski said. This includes the northern and western parts of Pennsylvania, as well as central New York and northwestern New England.
Along the East Coast, particularly along the Interstate 95 urban corridor, precipitation will be in the form of rain, Weather.com said. “Regardless, this could lead to significant flight delays in major East Coast hubs.”
Snow tracker: See how much snow has fallen near you
Wondering how much snow fell near you? USA TODAY’s detailed map below lets you explore snow accumulation over the past 24, 48, and 72 hours. You can also check seasonal totals starting October 1st.
Updated several times a day, this tool provides the latest snow data. Switch between the times to see how the snow is increasing in your area.
More: What is the polar vortex, and how does it affect our weather?
US weather warnings
The interactive map below shows all weather warnings (warnings, watches and advisories) currently in effect from the National Weather Service. This map is updated every 15 minutes.
Prepare your house for snow, cold
Also before winter storm advisories begin, make sure you’ve taken steps to ensure your home and family are winter-proofed, advised Kari Goelz, director of emergency management for Grand Forks County, North Dakota. “Prepare for the worst day,” for example, a winter storm so severe that you lose power and can’t leave your home for a week.
Here are some tips to stay safe when it gets cold:
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Make sure your home can be heated safely.
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Always have supplies on hand for up to 10 days, in case you are without power or unable to leave home, including non-perishable food, medicines, water and pet food.
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Check your oven.
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Is your snow blower working?
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Keep out the cold with caulking, and weather stripping, and check to see if repairs are needed.
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Check the batteries in the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
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Are your water pipes protected? Some people insulate their pipes, some wrap with heat tape. Others let their faucets drip slightly to prevent frozen pipes.
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Use battery powered lights and flashlights, and have back-up batteries.
Prepare your car or truck for snow, cold
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During winter storm and blizzard conditions, stay off the road, unless absolutely necessary, Goelz said.
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Check the weather before you travel and make sure your cell phone battery is charged.
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If you have to drive, slow down and make sure your headlights are on.
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Have a safety kit inside the car in case you crash, with blankets, water, non-perishable food that is high in energy and medication for up to three days.
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Have enough blankets, clothes and supplies for everyone in your car.
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If you have to travel, make sure someone knows where you will be and when you expect to arrive.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Latest storm forecast shows impact on Chicago, Detroit, more