Updated December 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm. ET
Flight cancellations began to occur as a major winter storm battered parts of the Northern and Central Plains and the Upper Midwest with freezing rain, heavy snow and high winds.
However, as of late morning, the total number of delayed and canceled flights remained lower than last yearbut the storm system is also creating hazardous road conditions.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for South Dakota and Nebraska, where heavy snow is expected throughout the day.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation issued a warning Monday morning asking people to stay off roads across the state.
TRAVEL NOT RECOMMENDED
Due to continued heavy snow accumulation and strong winds, driving conditions are rapidly deteriorating across the state, especially in central and north central Nebraska. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check before you travel.
— Nebraska DOT (@NebraskaDOT) December 25, 2023
There's a good chance south-central and central South Dakota could get at least a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Most of the state, as well as Nebraska and Kansas, are likely to see more than 4 inches of snow.
Some areas are bracing for deluge, including Sioux Falls, SD, where 12 to 18 inches of snow expected to fall.
And in neighboring Minnesota, ice and freezing rain are expected to hit southwestern parts of the state. State Department of Transportationwarns that some roads in the area are completely covered in snow, while others are covered in ice or slush.
The National Weather Service also warned that isolated power outages are possible in the area.
In addition to snowy roads and chalky conditions, winds gusting up to 55 mph could bring down tree limbs and power lines could snarl travelers.
By late Monday morning, more than 1,200 arriving or departing flights were delayed, with more than 130 canceled, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit
