Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Thanksgiving Blizzard Buries Midwest, Disrupts Travel Plans

12/1/2025

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A winter storm over Thanksgiving weekend disrupted the Midwest, bringing more than a foot of snow and strong winds.
More than 53 million people received winter weather alerts.
A 45-car pileup occurred on Interstate 78 in Indiana, with no serious injuries reported.
Des Moines recorded 10.9 inches of snow, the highest two-day total since January 2024.
Flight disruptions included over 4,600 delays and 576 cancellations, primarily affecting Chicago.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck from March 11 to 14, resulted in over 400 deaths and paralyzed cities along the East Coast, including New York. With winds exceeding 45 mph and snowdrifts reaching 50 feet, the storm disrupted transportation and led to significant infrastructure changes, including the development of underground rail systems, shaping modern emergency response and weather forecasting practices.

1 of 2

Story summary

A winter storm over Thanksgiving weekend disrupted the Midwest, bringing more than a foot of snow and strong winds.
More than 53 million people received winter weather alerts.
A 45-car pileup occurred on Interstate 78 in Indiana, with no serious injuries reported.
Des Moines recorded 10.9 inches of snow, the highest two-day total since January 2024.
Flight disruptions included over 4,600 delays and 576 cancellations, primarily affecting Chicago.

1 / 2