See it: Winter storm blankets Chicago, Milwaukee with snow reducing visibility
Snowfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour and gusty winds reduced visibility in Chicagoland and in Wisconsin along the I-94 corridor, including Milwaukee. Thursday's winter storm happens a week before Thanksgiving and could impact holiday travel, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Winter storm reduces visibility in Chicago, Milwaukee
A winter storm is causing delays across the Great Lakes, including at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport where a ground delay is in place on Thursday afternoon. FOX Weather's Robert Ray reports snow rates between 1 and 2 inches and winds dropped visibility down to a quarter-mile, creating a mess for the morning commute in the Windy City.
CHICAGO – Heavy snow began pushing into Great Lakes cities, including Chicago and Milwaukee, on Thursday during the season's first winter storm, reducing visibility down to a quarter-mile during the morning commute.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the winter storm unfolding across the Northeast, Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic is happening a week before Thanksgiving and could impact holiday travel. A potentially record-breaking 80 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this year, according to the AAA.
On Thursday, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued a Winter Weather Advisory for northeastern Illinois.
After receiving 2.7 inches of snow at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Thursday marks the snowiest November day in five years. According to flight tracker Flightaware.com, more than 700 flights at Midway and O'Hare airports were delayed or canceled on Thursday.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray was in Chicago where morning commuters faced blustery conditions.
Snowfall increased throughout the morning, reducing visibility across Chicagoland. Between 2 and 4 inches is forecast throughout the day.
Snow in Chicago on Nov. 21, 2024 during the Thanksgiving week winter storm. (Image: Robert Ray/FOX Weather)
(FOX Weather)
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said areas of snow will continue to move south across northeastern Illinois and into northwestern Indiana.
Indianapolis is included in a Winter Weather Advisory that covers most of central Indiana through Thursday night where between 1 and 2 inches of snow is forecast.
Watch: Snow falls outside FOX 6 Milwaukee studio
FOX 6 Milwaukee Chief Meteorologist Rob Haswell shared this video showing snow falling outside the studio on Thursday morning. Forecasters warned residents that travel conditions were quickly deteriorating due to the winter storm.
Southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, is under a Winter Weather Advisory through noon CT on Thursday.
Snowfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour and gusty winds up to 45 mph along the Interstate 94 corridor, including Madison, eastern Dane and Milwaukee counties, are forecast to have travel impacts.
A semi-truck crash on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 during a winter storm.
(Wisconsin State Patrol / FOX Weather)
Wisconsin State Patrol said troopers have been responding to "many crashes" and vehicle runoffs throughout the morning.
Snowfall outside the National Weather Service Milwaukee office on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee, visibility dropped to between a quarter- and half-mile on Thursday morning as heavy bands of snow moved through West Bend and Sheboygan.
The winter storm happens during Wisconsin's Winter Weather Awareness Week.
The NWS Milwaukee office posted some wintry scenes, saying it was "aware."