A massive and fast-deepening winter storm is hammering the U.S. Midwest and Northeast at the height of the holiday tourism rush, grounding flights, closing highways and stranding travelers who had planned festive getaways to cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and Boston.

Forecasters warn that the system, already producing blizzard conditions across parts of the Upper Midwest, is poised to intensify into a bomb cyclone over the Great Lakes and then rake the Northeast with heavy snow, high winds, coastal flooding and dangerous ice just as millions attempt to return home or embark on New Year trips.

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Storm Slams Holiday Travel Corridor From Chicago to Boston

The sprawling storm pushed across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest over the weekend, dropping more than half a foot of snow across portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and whipping up winds strong enough to turn major interstates into corridors of whiteout conditions.

Minneapolis reported more than 5 inches of snow in many neighborhoods, with some communities in northern Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula tallying close to a foot as bands of lake-enhanced snow set in.

As the center of low pressure spins toward the Great Lakes and deepens, snow and mixed precipitation are spreading east into the interior Northeast, including upstate New York and northern New England.

Boston, already coming off one of its busiest December travel periods in years, is bracing for heavy, wet snow inland and a messy mix of rain, sleet and gusty winds closer to the coast, threatening both highway and airport operations at a critical moment in the holiday calendar.

In the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, the storm’s warm side is generating periods of soaking rain and strong onshore winds, which could contribute to minor coastal flooding and further disruptions to rail and road travel around key hubs like New York City.

The complex precipitation pattern is creating a sharp gradient over short distances, with some inland communities preparing for plowable snow while coastal locations see mainly rain and powerful gusts.

Thousands of Flights Delayed as Aviation Network Struggles

Air travel has borne the brunt of the disruption so far, with flight tracking data showing nearly 6,000 delays and hundreds of cancellations across the United States as of Monday afternoon. The storm has snarled operations at a string of major hubs that serve as gateways to the Midwest and Northeast, including Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Detroit, Boston Logan and the New York area airports.

Chicago O’Hare, traditionally one of the nation’s most weather-sensitive holiday chokepoints, has seen hundreds of departures and arrivals delayed as snow, low visibility and deicing operations slowed the pace of takeoffs and landings. Airlines have been cycling aircraft through lengthy deicing queues, a necessary safety step that nonetheless squeezes capacity during peak travel hours and has a cascading effect throughout the route network.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Detroit, both squarely in the path of blizzard conditions and heavy snow, have also been hit with ground stops and rolling delays, affecting not only local passengers but also travelers attempting to connect through these hubs en route to destinations across the country and overseas. Delta Air Lines, which has a large presence in Detroit and Minneapolis, has reported some of the highest cancellation numbers among major carriers during this storm, reflecting its heavy reliance on these northern hubs.

As the storm envelope spreads east, Boston Logan and the three large New York airports are increasingly seeing schedule disruptions, with airlines trimming flights preemptively in an effort to avoid stranding aircraft and crews. Carriers including Delta, United, American, JetBlue and Alaska have issued weather waivers, allowing passengers with flexible plans to voluntarily move their travel to later in the week without change fees in hopes of easing the worst of the crowds during the height of the disruption.

Interstate Travel Grits to a Halt Across the Snow Belt

On the ground, driving conditions have deteriorated rapidly along long stretches of Interstates 35, 80, 90 and 94 from Iowa and Minnesota through Wisconsin and into Michigan, as heavy snow, drifting and occasional freezing drizzle produce glare ice and near-zero visibility. State patrols across the region have reported dozens of spinouts, jackknifed trucks and multi-vehicle crashes since Sunday, many of them attributed to drivers traveling too fast for conditions or attempting trips after warnings to stay off the roads.

The National Weather Service offices responsible for the Upper Midwest have taken the rare step of explicitly urging residents and visitors to postpone all nonessential travel in the hardest-hit zones. In southern and southwestern Minnesota, where blizzard warnings are in effect, officials stressed that even high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles can become stranded quickly when whiteout conditions obscure the roadway and snowdrifts accumulate faster than plows can clear them.

Further east, winter storm and ice storm warnings extend across sections of upstate New York, interior New England and northern Pennsylvania, where a dangerous mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to glaze surfaces and load tree branches and power lines. Road conditions in these areas may worsen even after the heaviest precipitation ends, as temperatures drop Monday night and any standing water or slush flashes to ice, complicating overnight trips and early morning commutes.

For travelers who decided to press ahead with road journeys to or from cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland and Boston, the storm’s shifting nature has created significant uncertainty. Some motorists who began trips during lulls in precipitation have since encountered deteriorating conditions within just a few hours of driving, leading to extended travel times, unexpected overnight stops and, in some cases, calls for roadside assistance when vehicles became stuck or disabled.

Iconic City Breaks Disrupted at Peak Holiday Season

The timing of the storm is particularly damaging for the tourism-dependent economies of major Midwest and Northeast cities, which count on the final week of December for a surge of visitors drawn by Christmas markets, New Year celebrations, theater performances, winter sports and shopping. In Chicago, where the Magnificent Mile and the Christkindlmarket typically bustle with out-of-town tourists during this period, hotel managers report a wave of last-minute cancellations and rebookings as families and international travelers struggle to reach the city.

Minneapolis, which promotes winter festivals, ice skating and nearby ski resorts as reasons to embrace the cold season, is facing an awkward reality: conditions are too extreme even for many winter enthusiasts. Some suburban hotels near the airport have shifted from marketing leisure packages to managing emergency stays for airline passengers and highway travelers suddenly stuck in the metro area after cancellations or road closures.

In Boston, operators of historical tours, harbor cruises converted to winter sightseeing experiences and downtown restaurants that rely on a mix of locals and holiday tourists are bracing for a few lean days. While the city is accustomed to nor’easters and coastal storms, the current system’s overlap with peak inbound and outbound travel has added a layer of logistical difficulty, particularly for visitors on tightly planned itineraries that combine Boston with other Northeast destinations such as New York and Portland, Maine.

Smaller regional destinations, from ski towns in northern New England to wine trails in upstate New York and Michigan, are also feeling the effects. Some ski resorts welcome the fresh snow but caution that high winds, limited visibility and potential icing on lifts may restrict operations temporarily. Bed-and-breakfast owners report guests either arriving a day early to get ahead of the storm or pushing trips deeper into January, compressing revenue that would normally be spread across the holiday and early winter weeks.

National Weather Service Sounding Rarely Strong Warnings

Meteorologists have been closely monitoring the storm’s rapid deepening over the Great Lakes, a process sometimes referred to as bombogenesis when atmospheric pressure falls extremely quickly. This rapid intensification can turn a strong winter storm into a full-fledged bomb cyclone, with a tight pressure gradient that drives damaging wind gusts, treacherous blowing snow and large waves on the Great Lakes.

National Weather Service offices from the Dakotas to Maine have issued an array of blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings, wind advisories and flood watches as the system marches east. In portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, forecasters have used unusually blunt language, warning of potentially life-threatening travel conditions and advising residents and travelers alike to postpone all travel until visibility improves and plows have had time to clear major roads.

Across the interior Northeast, the agency is highlighting the risk of significant icing, particularly in elevated terrain where shallow cold air remains trapped at the surface while warmer air glides overhead. Even a quarter-inch of ice accumulation can topple branches, down power lines and make untreated roads nearly impassable, a scenario that could leave holiday travelers facing both transportation breakdowns and power outages in unfamiliar locations.

Along the New England coast and around the Great Lakes shorelines, the combination of strong onshore winds, low pressure and high waves has prompted coastal flood advisories and marine warnings. Ferries linking islands and peninsulas to mainland cities, a crucial transport mode for both locals and tourists during the holidays, may see schedules reduced or suspended temporarily, complicating travel plans for those who planned scenic winter getaways.

How Airlines, Hotels and Travelers Are Adapting

Major U.S. airlines began preparing for the storm several days in advance by issuing travel waivers for affected cities, a strategy that encourages passengers with flexible schedules to voluntarily move trips to less busy days. This approach, increasingly common after the highly disruptive holiday meltdowns of recent years, helps carriers spread demand over a longer period and reduce the risk of mass strandings when storms hit key hubs.

Even with waivers in place, the sheer number of people traveling in the final days of December means that many flights are departing full, limiting rebooking options when cancellations occur. Gate agents at some hubs have been seeking volunteers willing to accept travel credits in exchange for flying later in the week, a familiar ritual during peak periods that has taken on added urgency due to the weather complications.

Hotels near major airports in Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston and New York have shifted into contingency mode, coordinating closely with airlines and booking platforms to accommodate sudden surges in stranded passengers. Some properties have relaxed cancellation policies for guests who can prove they were unable to reach the city due to weather-related disruptions, while others are offering discounted walk-in rates for travelers who find themselves unexpectedly grounded overnight.

Tour operators and attractions that had sold out holiday experiences, such as river cruises, special museum nights and guided city tours, are working to reschedule customers where possible or provide credits for future visits. While these measures soften the blow for travelers, they do little to offset the immediate revenue hit for businesses that depend heavily on this short but lucrative holiday window.

Safety and Planning Advice for Those Still on the Move

For travelers who must continue with their journeys despite the storm, emergency managers and tourism officials are emphasizing the importance of flexibility, preparation and real-time information. Those flying are urged to regularly monitor airline apps and airport departure boards rather than relying on confirmation emails printed days earlier, as schedules can change multiple times over the course of a single day in volatile weather.

Drivers in affected regions are being advised to equip vehicles with winter emergency kits, including warm clothing, blankets, food and water, a shovel, traction aids such as sand or cat litter and a fully charged phone with a car charger. Officials stress that even short trips can become hazardous if a vehicle becomes stuck in a snowbank or disabled along a rural highway with limited visibility and blowing snow.

Travel experts also recommend building extra time into itineraries, particularly for multi-leg journeys that involve connections through snow-belt hubs. Where possible, some advisors suggest routing through southern hubs less directly affected by snow and ice, even if the trip is slightly longer, to improve the odds of reaching the final destination close to schedule.

For those whose trips have been disrupted beyond repair, tourism boards in cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Boston are attempting to turn the situation into an opportunity, promoting off-peak winter festivals and events in January and February. The message: cancel for safety now, but come back later in the season when conditions are more manageable and crowds are thinner.

FAQ

Q1. Which regions are seeing the worst travel disruptions from this winter storm?
The most severe impacts are concentrated across the Upper Midwest, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, where blizzard conditions and heavy snow are common, as well as across interior sections of the Northeast and New England that are experiencing snow, ice and high winds.

Q2. How are major airports like Chicago, Boston and Minneapolis affected?
Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Boston Logan have all reported significant delays and cancellations as runways require frequent plowing and aircraft must undergo deicing. These hubs are also key connection points, so disruptions there ripple outward to destinations across the United States and overseas.

Q3. What are officials advising about driving in the storm zone?
State transportation agencies and the National Weather Service are urging travelers in blizzard warning areas to postpone all nonessential driving. In the worst-hit regions, officials warn that whiteout conditions, drifting snow and ice can quickly turn even short trips into dangerous situations where emergency responders may struggle to reach stranded vehicles.

Q4. Are iconic holiday attractions in cities like Chicago and Boston still open?
Many attractions remain open but are operating with reduced hours or limited capacity, and some outdoor events have been canceled or postponed due to high winds, snow and icy conditions. Travelers are advised to check directly with museums, markets and tour operators on the day of their visit before setting out.

Q5. What should air travelers do if their flight is canceled?
Passengers whose flights are canceled should use airline apps or websites to rebook at the earliest opportunity, as phone lines can become overloaded during major storms. In many cases, carriers are offering fee-free changes and allowing travelers to rebook within a wider date window, although seats on peak days may be limited.

Q6. How long is this storm expected to affect holiday travel?
The core impacts on the Midwest and Great Lakes are expected to continue through late Monday, with hazardous conditions shifting into the Northeast through Tuesday as the system deepens and moves offshore. Some residual delays, rebookings and schedule adjustments may persist for several days as airlines and rail services work through backlogs.

Q7. What are the main hazards for tourists in the Northeast?
In addition to heavy, wet snow in inland areas, tourists in the Northeast face risks from freezing rain, slick sidewalks, falling tree limbs, scattered power outages and coastal flooding in some low-lying communities. High winds may also make walking in downtown cores difficult and uncomfortable, particularly near waterfronts and tall buildings.

Q8. Can travel insurance help in this situation?
Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include trip interruption or cancellation benefits for severe weather that makes travel impossible or unsafe. Travelers should review their policy details and contact their provider to determine whether unused hotel nights, prepaid tours or additional transport costs may be reimbursable.

Q9. Is rail travel a reliable alternative during this storm?
Rail services can sometimes operate more reliably than short-haul flights during winter storms, but they are not immune to weather impacts. Heavy snow, ice on overhead lines, downed trees and coastal flooding can all disrupt or delay train services, so passengers should check schedules frequently and be prepared for modified timetables.

Q10. What is the best strategy for rescheduling a winter city break affected by the storm?
Travel planners recommend shifting trips into mid or late January, when tourist crowds thin out but many winter attractions and festivals remain on the calendar. Travelers should work with airlines, hotels and tour providers to take advantage of flexible change policies and, where possible, consider midweek travel dates that are less susceptible to crowding and operational strain.