Historic Winter Storm Snarls Travel, Slams Midwest With Snow, Ice

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A massive winter storm moving from coast to coast this week pummeled the Upper Midwest on Wednesday, forcing airports to cancel flights and travelers to delay plans as snow, strong winds and bitter cold blanketed the region.

Winter storm and blizzard warnings were in effect in multiple states Wednesday, according to the latest Accuweather forecast, as residents in a region accustomed to heavy snow prepared for potentially historic snowfall.

As much as 25 inches could pile up, with the heaviest amounts falling across east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin, the National Weather Service said. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph and wind chills are expected to hit minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area could see 2 feet of snow or more for the first time in over 30 years. Meanwhile, residents hunkered down Wednesday as the Twin Cities rested in the storm's crosshairs.

Accuweather forecasters predicted the storm could shut down the Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport. By Wednesday morning, more than 400 flights had been canceled at the airport, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Nationally, more than 1,140 flights within, into, or out of the United States had been canceled, while 1,382 flights were delayed, according to FlightAware.

The area saw as much as 5 inches of snow overnight Tuesday, while another 10 to 15 inches was expected Wednesday into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service Twin Cities.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency and activated the National Guard to rescue stranded motorists across the state.

"Minnesotans are no strangers to extreme weather, but this storm could break records. Our agencies are collaborating closely to make sure we’re prepared – and Minnesotans have a part to play, too. Plan ahead, drive safe, and limit travel," Walz said in a statement.

Over the next few days, the storm is expected to produce a nearly 1,300-mile-long band of ice starting near Omaha, Nebraska, and stretching to coastal New Hampshire, according to AccuWeather. Travel is likely to be treacherous, while the potential for significant damage to trees and power lines includes Milwaukee and Detroit, as well as the northern suburbs of Chicago and Boston.

The icy conditions could also mean airline delays and cancellations at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Detroit's Metro Airport for Wednesday into early Thursday.

Many schools throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin were called off Wednesday ahead of the storm. Offices closed and so did the Minnesota Legislature. Employees were working remotely in South Dakota where Gov. Kristi Noem shut down state executive branch offices in several parts of the state.

The massive storm brought wild weather to other parts of the United States. Wind gusts, combined with snow and rain, forced the closure of a long stretch of interstate highway in the Southwest. Meanwhile, many places in the mid-Atlantic down to Florida are expected to see record high temperatures — in some cases up to 40 degrees above normal.

In Wyoming, virtually every road was impacted and many were closed. Officials warned they might stay that way for days.

As the storm moves west, parts of northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, New York's lower Hudson Valley, and central New England will likely experience ice on elevated surfaces like bridges, trees, and cars, according to Accuweather.

The heaviest snow will fall on the northern parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, where 12-18 inches is forecast.

Finally, Accuweather forecasters said rain is in store for New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and St. Louis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.