Severe weather expected to snarl holiday travel

CHICAGO -- A wintry mix of Gulf Coast thunderstorms expected to move north, predicted snowfall in the Great Lakes and blustery conditions in the nation's midsection threatened Tuesday to snag holiday travel plans nationwide.

While snow fell in some Midwestern states Tuesday -- nearly two feet in South Dakota's Black Hills -- a strong storm system developed in Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana, which was expected to drop rain along the East Coast and snow from Missouri to Michigan. The severe storms in the South killed at least four people, damaged homes, businesses and cars, and knocked out power to thousands.

As the storms tore their way across the South, there were some delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, though airport spokesman Reese McCranie said in an email he was not aware of any cancellations. He said the airport did not expect a ground stop.

Meteorologists predicted a rain and snow mix for parts of the Great Lakes region, with several inches of Christmas Eve snow expected in portions of Illinois. Officials at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports readied for the potential of holiday delays and cancellations, particularly with more people expected to fly this year.

"I'd be nervous about the possibility of not being able to get out," said Chicago meteorologist Charles Mott. "I would definitely make plans about possibly staying put or doing something else."

About 4.2 million passengers are expected to travel through O'Hare and Midway during an 18-day holiday travel period ending Jan. 6, said Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Karen Pride. That would be a three percent increase at O'Hare and a nine percent jump at Midway, compared to last year. Pride urged travelers to allow plenty of time and monitor airlines closely.

Elsewhere, a blast of cold and snowy conditions affected travel Tuesday.

Dozens of flights in and out of Philadelphia International Airport were canceled and others saw delays of about two hours due to bad weather and low clouds.

Just west of Green Bay, Wisconsin, a school bus was involved in three-vehicle crash on snow-covered, slick roads. No serious injuries were reported.

In eastern Colorado, Interstate 70 was shut down into Kansas because of strong winds and blowing snow.

Parts of western South Dakota saw snow accumulations of a foot or more through Tuesday morning. Higher elevations in the Black Hills got close to two feet.

But not all winter enthusiasts were so lucky.

Snow isn't expected in other parts of South Dakota until Friday. Sioux Falls resident Alana Amdahl said she's disappointed about the lack of snow projected for Christmas.

"We live in South Dakota for a reason," said Amdahl, 27. "We don't have palm trees to put Christmas lights on, we have evergreens. Of course, we need snow. It can melt after the new year."