US: Wicked weather threatens Thanksgiving travel for millions of Americans

Two powerful storms packing heavy snows and strong winds are expected to sweep across the western half of the US this week just in time to wreak havoc on the plans of millions of Americans travelling for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day holiday. Starting on Monday evening, a storm will begin dumping more than a foot (30 cm) of snow as wind gusts reach 72 kph in an area from southern Wyoming to central Colorado. The same storm will then drop 15 to 30cm of snow as it moves east across Nebraska and Kansas and into Minneapolis on Tuesday before reaching the upper Great Lakes by Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. A second strong storm is expected to dump heavy snow on parts of the Pacific Northwest starting Tuesday night, with blizzard-like conditions in Oregon and Northern California, the NWS said. Some 55m travelers will fly or drive at least 80 km from their homes this Thanksgiving, according to the American Automobile Association. In the western half of the country, dozens of winter storm watches and warnings were in effect, complicating the plans of many would-be travellers. Airlines and airports warned travellers to check the status of their flight and to consider rescheduling as weather may disrupt service.<br/>