Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
More than 1,000 flights were canceled across the United States on Saturday as a powerful winter storm swept through the upper Midwest, creating hazardous travel conditions for millions returning home after the holiday period, according to data from FlightAware.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport one of the nation’s busiest travel hubs, has borne the brunt of the disruption. By Saturday morning, more than 700 flights at O’Hare had been canceled and over 500 delayed, with outbound flights facing average delays exceeding five hours. The Federal Aviation Administration warned that snow and ice were severely affecting airport operations, limiting runway capacity and slowing aircraft de-icing procedures.
Snow began falling over the Chicago region early Saturday, with forecasters predicting the heaviest accumulation between noon and 8 p.m. The wintry conditions form part of a sprawling cross-country storm system that first delivered snow across states from Montana to Missouri on Friday before shifting eastward into the Midwest.
The timing has compounded the impact. With millions of travelers heading home after the holiday weekend, airlines and airports were already operating under heightened strain. The expanding storm has forced carriers to preemptively cancel flights and reroute schedules to manage the worsening weather.
Winter weather alerts remain in effect for a vast portion of the central United States, stretching from the Dakotas through Minnesota and Wisconsin and extending south and east into Indiana and Michigan. Meteorologists warn that the system could continue to cause significant delays, slick roadways, and hazardous visibility throughout the weekend.
Authorities are urging travelers to check airline notifications, monitor weather updates, and prepare for potential extended delays as the storm continues its march across the region.
