Midwest Getting Pounded by Snow Storm

By CnAgri Print

With heavy snow and howling winds, the Midwest's first major snowstorm of the season was sweeping across several states Thursday, shuttering schools and creating dangerous roadways. Nebraska's largest school district canceled classes because of heavy overnight snow, as did many districts across Iowa, where drivers were being told to stay off the roads starting Wednesday evening because of whiteout conditions.

Some spots in Iowa and Wisconsin could see a foot and a half of snow by the time the storm winds down Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm is bad news for holiday travelers, but the forecast promises much-needed precipitation for the drought-plagued region.

According to the USA Today, travelers should expect delays at airports in the path of the storm and ripple-effect delays in other parts of the nation.

Blizzard warnings were in place late Wednesday in a solid stretch from near Denver to near Milwaukee, a distance of more than 900 miles. About 5 million people were in areas under a blizzard warning.

Although the Plains and Midwest could do without the travel headaches, precipitation should be welcome. More than 93% of the high Plains region and 54% of the Midwest are enduring drought conditions, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.