A severe winter storm swept across parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest on Saturday, leading to widespread power outages and significant disruptions in air travel. The National Weather Service reported blizzard conditions with heavy snow and strong winds, impacting several states.
The storm, characterized by its intense cold, affected areas from the Rockies to the Plains. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced ongoing flight cancellations and delays nationwide. Over 7,600 flights were delayed on Friday alone, with significant disruptions at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport due to the severe weather conditions.
Michigan was notably impacted with approximately 150,000 homes and businesses losing power, as indicated by power outage trackers. Oregon and Wisconsin reported over 200,000 combined power outages as well.
The storm’s timing has also affected the political landscape. In Iowa, where the state’s caucuses are scheduled for Monday, Republican presidential candidates have had to cancel several events. These caucuses are the first in a series of state-by-state contests determining the parties’ nominees for the upcoming November election.