At a Glance
- 64 million people are under winter weather alerts across the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
- Tornadoes ripped homes and a garage in Macon County, Illinois, but no injuries were reported.
- More than 6,000 flights were delayed and 500+ canceled, affecting major U.S. airports.
- Why it matters: The storm is reshaping travel, infrastructure, and safety nationwide.
A powerful winter storm system has rattled the U.S., sending travel chaos, tornadoes, and power outages across multiple states.
Storm Overview and Travel Disruptions
The cold front that pushed across the country created plummeting temperatures and unstable air, sparking a series of tornadoes and widespread travel delays. Over 6,000 flights were delayed and more than 500 canceled into or out of the United States by midday Sunday.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport faced a weather-based ground delay that expired Sunday night, with an average delay of 3 hours 9 minutes expected. Boston Logan International Airport warned of overnight delays due to snowfall and deicing operations.
> News Of Fort Worth said:
> “Due to forecasted snowfall and deicing operations, Boston Logan expects delays overnight and early tomorrow morning.”
Snow fell in Colorado, Wisconsin and Minnesota, while rain, gusty winds and lightning stretched from Iowa into the Ohio Valley. A strong line of storms was projected to develop Sunday evening from the Great Lakes into the mid-South, putting 141 million people under wind alerts. Alerts spanned from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic, including Dallas, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago and Philadelphia. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph were possible, with local gusts reaching 65 mph.
- Widespread wind alerts: 141 million people
- Cities affected: Dallas, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia
- Maximum gusts: 45 mph overall, 65 mph locally
| Airport | Delay Status | Expected Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-Saint Paul | Ground delay expired | 3 h 9 m |
| Boston Logan | Overnight delay | Overnight & early tomorrow |
| Other U.S. airports | 6,000+ flights delayed | Varies |
Tornadoes and Power Outages
A string of tornadoes erupted in central Illinois on Sunday. Preliminary reports from News Of Fort Worth indicated that eight homes and a garage were destroyed in Macon County, and two other homes sustained significant structural damage. No injuries were reported. News Of Fort Worth of Decatur noted that a home’s roof was ripped off, but occupants and pets escaped unharmed.
The tornadoes followed the cold front’s leading edge, where cold air collided with warmer air, creating the unstable conditions that produced the storms. News Of Fort Worth recorded four tornado observations in Macon County, an EF1 tornado 1.75 mile long in Allentown, and a tornado near the Christian-Macon county line that kicked up dirt and corn stubble.
Multiple tornado warnings for Indiana and Kentucky expired late Sunday. Power outages were widespread:
- Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky: over 32,000 customers without power
- Michigan: more than 52,000 customers without power
- Wisconsin: over 12,000 customers without power
The office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned that severe weather was en route, placing 6,700 utility workers on standby for repairs.
Regional Impact and Safety Measures
Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon announced the closure of the Buffalo Skyway until further notice, starting at 6 a.m. Monday. Parts of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas were expected to see blizzard conditions from high snowfall rates and 40 mph wind gusts, making travel difficult. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist in the emergency storm response, including motorist rescues. A no-travel advisory was in effect for South Central Minnesota until further notice.
Minneapolis declared a snow emergency on Sunday night, prohibiting parking along designated snow-emergency routes. Video verified by News Of Fort Worth shows whiteout conditions in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Hazardous travel conditions were forecast for Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan overnight, with wraparound snow targeting parts of Michigan and the eastern Great Lakes through Monday. Residual lake-effect bands were expected to persist downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario through Tuesday, bringing 3-6 inches of snow with up to 14 inches locally. The Upper Midwest was forecast to receive 3-9 inches of snow, with localized amounts up to 20 inches.
The storm lingered over New England through Monday evening before moving offshore early Tuesday morning. Power outages and hazardous travel conditions could affect areas from northern Pennsylvania through Maine, with ice accumulations of 0.2-0.5 inches.
Key Takeaways
- 64 million people are under winter alerts, with travel disruptions nationwide.
- Tornadoes in Illinois destroyed homes but caused no injuries, while power outages affected over 100,000 customers.
- Major airports faced thousands of flight delays, and regional authorities imposed closures and safety measures to protect residents.
The storm’s reach and intensity underscore the need for continued vigilance and preparedness as the weather system moves into new regions.
