A winter storm rolled through the Central Plains, including a big a part of Kansas, as tens of millions of Americans made their way home from the Thanksgiving holiday.
The primary snow of the vacation season brought bitter cold across the Central Plains, while precipitation was forecast to move through the Midwest and Great Lakes on Sunday.
Winter weather alerts were in effect for greater than 10 million people from Texas through Michigan.
Along with the snow, a combination of sleet and freezing rain was reported across the Texas Panhandle into northwestern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.
The mixed precipitation was expected to be light but add to travel difficulties on roadways.
Several crashes were reported around Wichita, Kansas as road conditions deteriorated on Saturday.
Local National Weather Service offices warned drivers of the treacherous conditions and at times, some roadways in the center of the storm system were completely covered in snow.
The FOX Forecast Center expected moderate to heavy snowfall across southwestern Kansas to northwest Missouri with precipitation totals of 4-8 inches.
The snowfall got here with gusty winds, in addition to heavy snow bands with rates of around 1 inch per hour at times.
Despite clearing expected on Sunday within the Plains, temperatures in the teenagers and 20s will be sure that icy conditions will remain a threat for the following several days.
Sunday travel impacts
Snowfall is predicted to push into the Great Lakes on Sunday and impact cities comparable to Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee.
A coating to as much as 3″ will probably be the final rule of thumb in accordance with the FOX Forecast Center.
Snowfall enhancements are possible south and east of the lakes, meaning some sports in Indiana and Michigan might see isolated higher amounts.
Temperatures around Interstate 80 and northward are expected to be cold enough that the majority of the precipitation will fall within the frozen variety.
Which means many communities will see their first snowfall, on what AAA says may very well be the busiest travel day of the 12 months.
The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen around 2.9 million airport passengers on Sunday, which could set an all-time record.
Airport hubs comparable to Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit all face the specter of wintry weather, and, subsequently, the necessity for deicing.
Airports in Albuquerque, Recent Mexico, Denver, Minneapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, implemented deicing procedures on Saturday to assist remove snow and ice from planes.
FlightAware.com reported delays in Denver averaged nearly an hour because the snowy weather met travelers’ return rush after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Arctic blast: Wind chills to drop below zero
In keeping with the National Weather Service, temperatures will probably be lower than usual in much of the country this weekend. Nevertheless, the most important temperature differences will occur in parts of the Central and Southern Plains.
On Saturday, temperatures within the Central Plains will range from the 20s to the 30s, while within the northern portion of the Southern Plains, temperatures will probably be within the 40s.
On Sunday, it would be colder, with lows in the teenagers and 20s.
This may occasionally cause wind chills in the one digits and even below 0 in some areas.
