Millions returning home from Thanksgiving face treacherous weather this weekend as an Arctic blast delivers the coldest air since last winter. Temperatures are plunging into single digits across the northern Plains, with wind chills dipping below -15°F in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Lake-effect snow is wreaking havoc in the Northeast, burying areas like Buffalo, NY, under six feet of snow and triggering travel bans on major roads like I-86. The National Weather Service warns of “hazardous to impossible” travel conditions, with frostbite and hypothermia risks for those exposed to the brutal cold.
Southern states won’t escape the chill, as subfreezing temperatures stretch from Florida to the Gulf Coast, threatening crops and outdoor plumbing. Meanwhile, rain and thunderstorms target southern Texas and Florida, while most of the country remains dry.
Air travel is also taking a hit: Over 2,300 flights were delayed Friday, and Erie International Airport shut down operations until Saturday due to snow. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security urges caution, advising drivers to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare emergency kits.
Brace yourself: Winter has arrived early, and it’s not messing around.
