At a Glance
- 64 million people under winter weather alerts across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.
- A string of tornadoes in central Illinois destroyed eight homes and damaged two more.
- Over 6,000 flights were delayed and more than 500 were canceled by midday Sunday.
- Why it matters: The storm’s reach threatens travel, power, and daily life for millions.
On Sunday, a powerful winter storm system swept across the Midwest, unleashing a series of tornadoes, heavy snow, and widespread travel disruptions. The National Weather Service reported significant damage in Macon County, Illinois, while flights across the country were delayed or canceled. The storm’s impact extended from blizzard-grade snow in the Upper Midwest to freezing rain and ice accumulation in the Northeast.
Midwest Tornadoes and Winter Storm
The storm’s leading edge, a cold front, created unstable air that sparked a chain of tornadoes across central Illinois. Preliminary National Weather Service reports indicate eight homes and a garage were destroyed, and two additional homes suffered significant structural damage in Macon County. No injuries were reported.
NBC affiliate News Of Los Angeles of Decatur observed the roof of a home ripped off by tornado winds, yet occupants and pets escaped unharmed. This incident was one of two unconfirmed tornadoes reported in the county that afternoon, according to the station.
The tornadoes followed the front’s movement east-southeast, colliding with warmer air and producing roiling conditions that intensified the storm. Federal forecasters described the resulting winds and temperature drops as a key driver of the severe weather.
- Four tornado observations in Macon County.
- A 1.75-mile-long EF1 tornado struck Allentown, Illinois.
- A tornado near the Illinois-Christian-Macon county line was described as “kicking up dirt and corn stubble” in a storm-chaser video.
The storm also delivered heavy snowfall to parts of Colorado, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, while rain and lightning spread from Iowa into the Ohio Valley. A video captured in Minneapolis shows snow piling over already-snowed ground, illustrating the storm’s intensity.
Travel and Power Disruptions
The weather system caused chaos for air travel, with over 6,000 flights delayed and more than 500 canceled across U.S. airports by midday Sunday. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport faced a weather-based ground delay that lasted until Sunday night, with an average expected delay of 3 hours 9 minutes.
Boston Logan International Airport warned of overnight delays due to forecasted snowfall and deicing operations. The airport’s operator, Massport, stated:
> “Due to forecasted snowfall and deicing operations, Boston Logan expects delays overnight and early tomorrow morning,” the airport’s operator, Massport, said in an alert late Sunday.
In addition, a strong line of storms projected to develop Sunday evening from the Great Lakes into the mid-South raised wind alerts for 141 million people. Widespread gusts up to 45 mph were expected, with some local gusts reaching 65 mph.
Five million people across Illinois, Indiana, and northwest Kentucky were placed under a slight risk for severe weather that could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and multiple tornadoes.
- 6,000 flights delayed, 500 canceled.
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul: ground delay, 3 h 9 m average delay.
- Boston Logan: overnight delays, deicing operations.
- 141 million under wind alerts; gusts up to 65 mph.
Power outages followed the storm’s path. More than 32,000 utility customers in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky were without power late Sunday, according to the tracker News Of Los Angeles. Additional outages included 52,000 customers in Michigan and 12,000 in Wisconsin.
The New York Governor’s office, led by Kathy Hochul, placed over 6,700 utility workers on standby to repair any infrastructure damage. Freezing rain and ice accumulation were forecast to continue into Monday across New England, with up to 0.5 inches of ice possible.
Regional Responses
Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon announced that the Buffalo Skyway, an elevated roadway over the Buffalo River, would close until further notice beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, anticipating the storm’s impact on the city.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz authorized the National Guard to aid in the state’s emergency storm response, including motorist rescue operations. A no-travel advisory was issued for south-central Minnesota roadways until further notice.
The city of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency on Sunday night, prohibiting parking along designated snow-emergency routes to facilitate plowing. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, whiteout conditions were confirmed in a video verified by News Of Los Angeles.
Hazardous travel conditions were forecast for Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan overnight, with wraparound snow targeting parts of Michigan and the eastern Great Lakes through Monday. Residual lake-effect bands were expected to persist downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario through Tuesday, delivering 3-6 inches of snow, with up to 14 inches locally.
The Upper Midwest was projected to receive 3-9 inches of snow, with localized amounts reaching 20 inches. The storm system would linger over New England through Monday evening before moving offshore early Tuesday morning, potentially causing power outages and hazardous travel conditions from northern Pennsylvania to Maine.
| Category | People Affected | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winter weather alerts | 64 million | Eastern two-thirds of the U.S. |
| Wind alerts | 141 million | Great Lakes to mid-South |
| Slight severe-weather risk | 5 million | Illinois, Indiana, NW Kentucky |
| Utility workers on standby | 6 700 | New York |
The storm’s lingering presence over New England, combined with ice accumulation up to 0.5 inches, underscores the need for continued caution as the system moves offshore.
Key Takeaways
- 64 million people face winter alerts across the U.S.
- The storm caused 8 tornado-destroyed homes, 6,000 flight delays, and widespread power outages.
- Power outages affected more than 96,000 customers nationwide, and major roadways were closed in several states.
The week-long winter storm has already reshaped travel, power, and daily life for millions. As the system drifts toward the East Coast, residents should remain vigilant for continued snow, ice, and potential road closures.
