Aaj English TV

Monday, December 23, 2024  
20 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Storm socks Midwest, cancels flights, closes roads

A powerful winter storm roared across the upper Midwest on Sunday with high winds and mounds of snow closing roads in several states and canceling more than 1,400 flights in Chicago.

At least one weather-related death was reported Sunday as the storm system that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in parts of Minnesota and caused the Metrodome's inflatable, Teflon roof to collapse moved east. The Minnesota Vikings-New York Giants game was pushed to Monday night at Detroit's Ford Field.

A blizzard warning was in effect Sunday for parts of eastern Iowa, southeastern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois, and northern Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. Surrounding areas, including Chicago, were under winter storm warnings. "It's going to be blustery," said Ben Deubelbeiss, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, Ill.

The winter weather, with blowing snow that severely limited visibility, wreaked havoc on air and road travel. In the Chicago area, wind gusts of up to 50 mph, temperatures in the teens, wind chills well below zero were expected along with up to 8 inches of snow.

More than 1,200 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport and more than 250 were canceled at Midway International Airport, Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride said. Both airports expected more cancellations and reported significant delays.

Major highways in several states were closed due to poor driving conditions and accidents.

Illinois State Police closed a section of Interstate 80 in the north central part of the state Sunday after a multiple-car pileup west of Peru. An injury report wasn't immediately available.