Winter weather threatening holiday travel across the U.S. this weekend

Main Idea: The National Weather Service says a winter storm is making holiday travel dangerous across parts of the U.S., with heavy snow and strong winds hitting the Midwest and spreading east.

Key Points:

• About 53 million people from South Dakota to New York are under winter weather alerts this weekend.
• Minneapolis and Milwaukee are among the cities expected to see hazardous travel, with 6 to 14 inches of snow possible in the hardest-hit areas.
• Flights are being heavily disrupted, with thousands delayed or canceled, including major problems at Chicago O’Hare and Dallas Fort Worth.
• Rain, thunderstorms, and a sharp blast of cold air will spread across other regions, slowing travel and dropping temperatures well below normal.