A large winter storm that could bring some of the biggest snow of the season to the Central US and Rockies is likely to significantly impact travel plans for millions of people returning home from their Thanksgiving holiday.
The FOX Forecast Center said a dip in the jet stream combined with arctic air in the northern tier of the US will help spawn an area of low pressure across the central Rockies and Plains by the weekend, bringing snow Friday into early Saturday.
Several inches of snow are expected in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, and Denver is expecting 1–3 inches of snow by Monday, breaking a 200+ day streak with no snowfall.
In the Midwest, 5–8 inches of snow will fall across parts of Iowa, southern Wisconsin and Illinois.
Cities like Des Moines, Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin, are likely to see significant snowfall.
Locally higher amounts of snow are possible, especially around the Great Lakes, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Snow falls as cars drop off travelers outside Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Nov. 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images
A large winter storm could bring some of the biggest snow of the season to the Central US and Rockies following Thanksgiving. Ester – stock.adobe.com
The storm is likely to impact travel plans for millions of people returning home from their Thanksgiving holiday. FOX Weather
As people begin returning home from their holiday plans starting Friday, snow could lead to travel issues at major airports like Chicago O’Hare and Midway, Milwaukee Mitchell International and Detroit Metropolitan.
Travel impacts could last through Monday.
To the south gusty winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms are also possible on the warmer side of this system.
Heavy rain could move through already-drenched areas of the South, in cities like Dallas, Nashville and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Heavy rain could move through already-drenched areas of the US. Getty Images
A level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk has already been issued across eastern Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana into Saturday as this sprawling storm pushes east. A widespread 1-2″ of rain is possible through Sunday.
Pre-Thanksgiving storm prompts blizzard warnings, dangerous conditions
Meanwhile, another winter storm is causing Blizzard Warnings to be issued across the Upper Midwest, delivering what will be a back-to-back punch of winter weather come Friday.
Arctic air in the northern tier of the US will help spawn an area of low pressure across the central Rockies and Plains. ALAN – stock.adobe.com
Plows work to remove snow outside Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Nov. 26 in Minneapolis. Getty Images
Blizzard Warnings in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan persist through Friday.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 1,100 flights across the US were delayed or disrupted in some way by this winter storm, according to FlightAware.
Snow totals across parts of North and South Dakota reached 8–12 inches by Wednesday morning.
