Cleveland, OH— Tuesday, November 25th — A sprawling and intensifying storm system is setting the stage for one of the most hazardous Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel periods in recent memory. Millions across the Midwest and Great Lakes face dangerous conditions from Minnesota to New York, as snow, strong winds, and rapidly falling temperatures create disruptive and, in some areas, nearly impossible travel conditions. The timing could not be worse, with the heaviest impacts lining up with outbound Thanksgiving travel and the early launch of Black Friday movement across major highways.
Across Minnesota, rain begins transitioning to heavy snow today from west to east. Rates may exceed one inch per hour through the evening. Central and northern counties face widespread 4 to 7 inch totals, while northwest Wisconsin could see even higher amounts as lake enhancement develops. Winds may gust to 45 mph, pushing ground blizzard conditions along stretches of I-94, I-35, US-10, and MN-23. Forecasters expect significant delays through Wednesday morning.
In Wisconsin, snow intensifies Wednesday morning and continues into Thanksgiving Day. Northern counties including Bayfield, Douglas, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, and Washburn remain under Winter Storm Warnings, with totals ranging between 12 and 30 inches where the strongest bands persist. Gusts above 35 mph will blow snow across roads and reduce visibility below a quarter mile at times. Drivers on I-39, US-53, and I-94 near Eau Claire should expect travel to deteriorate quickly, with drifting snow and rapidly icing surfaces.
Farther east, Michigan prepares for heavy lake-enhanced snow Wednesday afternoon through Thursday night. The U.P. faces some of the most extreme totals from this system, with 14 to 25 inches likely in the Keweenaw, Houghton, Baraga, Gogebic, and Ontonagon counties. Northern Lower Michigan will see 6 to 12 inches, with the highest totals north of M-32 and near Charlevoix and Otsego counties. Winds may gust to 45 mph, pushing snow across US-131, M-28, M-32, I-75, and M-123, especially during Thanksgiving morning travel.
In Ohio and Pennsylvania, lake-effect snow begins late Wednesday night and continues through Friday. Bands off Lake Erie may stall during peak Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel hours. Totals over 8 inches are possible across Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Erie, Crawford, and Warren counties, with locally higher totals developing as snow intensifies. Strong winds may create sudden whiteouts along I-90, I-86, I-79, and US-322. Forecasters warn that conditions may change minute-to-minute within lake-effect corridors.
By the time snow reaches New York, the potential for long-duration lake-effect bands increases significantly. Areas south and east of Buffalo—including Orchard Park, Springville, Wyoming County, and parts of Chautauqua—could see significant accumulations through Friday evening. Winds up to 50 mph may produce drifting and low visibility on I-90, Route 219, and Route 5. Power outages are possible where wet, heavy snow combines with gusty winds.
Extended Outlook:
Snow showers linger across the Great Lakes Friday night through Saturday. Black Friday return travel may remain heavily disrupted, especially before midday Friday. Forecasters urge travelers to expect delays, allow extra time, and prepare for sudden visibility drops across multiple states.
