A powerful winter storm that battered the Midwest over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is now giving way to a second, strengthening system moving into the Northeast, promising widespread travel disruptions and one of the season's first significant snowfalls for millions of Americans.

The initial storm, which swept across the Great Lakes region, left a trail of chaos on Sunday. Heavy, wet snow caused major travel headaches, particularly in Chicago, where O’Hare International Airport saw over 250 cancellations and 900 delays, according to FlightAware. The ripple effects were felt nationwide, stranding post-holiday travelers.

The storm's impact was severe on the ground as well. In Wisconsin, utility crews worked through the night to restore power to more than 6,000 customers after snow-laden trees and wind gusts brought down power lines, with Milwaukee and South Milwaukee among the hardest-hit areas.

Travel by air and road proved perilous. Des Moines International Airport temporarily closed after a Delta Connection flight skidded off an icy runway upon arrival from Detroit. While no injuries were reported, the incident underscored the hazardous conditions. Across western Michigan, hundreds of churches canceled in-person services after lake-effect snow dumped up to 12 inches (30 cm), prompting authorities to urge residents to stay off the roads.

According to meteorologist Andrew Orrison of the National Weather Service, some areas in Iowa and Illinois saw over a foot of snow, with Fort Dodge, Iowa, recording 15 inches (38 cm).

As the Midwest began to dig out, forecasters turned their attention to the next threat. A second storm system, strengthening faster than anticipated, is now moving into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

"This could be rather significant," Orrison said, noting that many areas will be experiencing their first major snowfall of the season. While major cities along the I-95 corridor may be spared the heaviest accumulation, interior regions are bracing for a substantial hit.

The effects are already being felt. By Sunday evening, state police in Pennsylvania had responded to more than 70 weather-related accidents. In response, several school districts in upstate New York and Vermont have already announced delays for Monday morning.

Transportation officials are warning commuters across interior New England, northern New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania to prepare for slick roads and reduced visibility during the Monday morning rush. Airlines have begun issuing travel waivers for passengers flying through major hubs like Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia through Tuesday.

Meteorologists predict that some interior areas of the Northeast could see between 8 and 12 inches of snow by Tuesday afternoon. If these forecasts hold, it would mark one of the earliest and most significant snow events in nearly a decade for the region. (ILKHA)