A winter storm swept through the Central Plains, including Kansas, as millions of Americans traveled back home from their Thanksgiving holiday. The storm brought the first snowfall of the season and bitter cold temperatures to the region. Winter weather alerts were in effect for over 10 million people from Texas to Michigan. In addition to the snow, there was also a mix of sleet and freezing rain reported in the Texas Panhandle, northwestern Oklahoma, and southern Kansas, making travel conditions even more treacherous.

Several crashes were reported in Wichita, Kansas as road conditions rapidly deteriorated on Saturday. Local National Weather Service offices issued warnings to drivers about the dangerous conditions, and some roadways were completely covered in snow. The FOX Forecast Center predicted moderate to heavy snowfall across southwestern Kansas to northwest Missouri, with expected precipitation totals of 4-8 inches. Gusty winds and heavy snow bands, with rates of up to 1 inch per hour, added to the hazardous travel conditions.

Despite clearing skies on Sunday, temperatures in the teens and 20s ensured that icy conditions would persist for several days. The winter storm was expected to push into the Great Lakes region, impacting cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. The FOX Forecast Center predicted a coating to as much as 3 inches of snow in these areas, with the possibility of higher amounts in some spots in Indiana and Michigan. Temperatures around Interstate 80 and northward were expected to be cold enough for most of the precipitation to fall as snow, making it the first snowfall for many communities on what AAA projected to be the busiest travel day of the year.

The Transportation Security Administration anticipated screening around 2.9 million passengers at airports on Sunday, potentially setting an all-time record. However, wintry weather posed a threat to airport hubs like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit, as deicing procedures were implemented to remove snow and ice from planes. Denver experienced delays averaging nearly an hour due to the snowy weather and the influx of travelers returning from their Thanksgiving break.

The National Weather Service warned that temperatures would be lower than usual across much of the country over the weekend, with the most significant temperature differences occurring in the Central and Southern Plains. On Saturday, temperatures in the Central Plains ranged from the 20s to the 30s, while the northern part of the Southern Plains saw temperatures in the 40s. On Sunday, temperatures dropped even further, with lows in the teens and 20s. This Arctic blast caused wind chills to reach the single digits or even below zero in some areas.