Due to the latest weather system, consider ensuring that you have alternate travel plans ready to be implemented because a winter storm affects midwestern United States December 2023 — and a very small portion of southern central Canada will be affected as well.
Storm Affects Midwestern United States: December 2023 Travel Alert
The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:
Winter Storm with Blizzard Conditions Developing on Christmas in the Central U.S.
A significant winter storm will impact parts of the northern/central Plains and Upper Midwest with heavy snow, freezing rain, and strong winds through Tuesday night. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds (gusts up to 55 mph) will produce blizzard conditions for central South Dakota into much of Nebraska resulting in difficult to near impossible travel.
The map of the United States from the National Weather Service indicates that blizzard warnings, ice storm warnings, winter storm watches, hazardous weather outlook advisories, and winter weather advisories have been issued from central eastern Colorado all the way to northern Minnesota. Up to 24 inches of snow could accumulate in some locations by the time this winter weather event ends; and a significant accumulation of ice could occur from north of Fargo to northeastern South Dakota and also around the northern area of Thunder Bay. Expect outages of electrical power and trees to fall in some locations.
The northern Great Plains states of the United States from central Kansas to the easternmost tip of Minnesota will be affected the most by this winter weather system — and that has prompted travel waivers by several airlines. Greater than 1,200 flights have already been delayed by Southwest Airlines alone.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within the midwestern United States and a small portion of southern central Canada over the next few days or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
Here are five airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for five airports in four states for Monday, December 25, 2023 through Tuesday, December 26, 2023; and Saturday, December 30, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for eleven airports in six states for Monday, December 25, 2023 through Tuesday, December 26, 2023; and Sunday, December 31, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued a travel alert for Chicago Midway Airport for Sunday, December 24, 2023 through Monday, December 25, 2023; and Monday, January 8, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for Montréal, Ottawa, and Quebec City for Monday, December 25, 2023.
- Porter Airlines has issued travel alerts for travel alerts for five airports in two provinces for Monday, December 25, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
