A nasty, winter-like storm that's marching across the country is putting travel plans at risk for millions of Americans hitting the roads and skies for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The storm already blanketed parts of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico with heavy snow, freezing rain and ice, and meteorologists predict it will pick up speed as it heads for the northeast.
At O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, it's normal operations but the storm was a big concern for many travelers. It's a big reason why Toya Hart and her family left Monday for Minnesota.
"We don't want to be caught in any storms," Hart said.
The National Weather Service says scattered, lake-effect snow showers are possible throughout Tuesday and before noon on Wednesday in the Chicago area.
Gunther Kettenbil, headed to Kissimmee, Fla., for Thanksgiving, said he's keeping an eye on his flight, and he's not alone.
"I heard about the storm on the East Coast," Kettenbil said. "I think we are going to miss it. Things are going to be OK for us."
"We'll have to turn on our phone," traveler Robert Jarosinski said, "and see what's going on."
"I'll get there before the storm comes," Jeffrey Glickman said. "I'll be alright."
Aviation experts in Chicago say the city's airports will see more than 1.9 million passengers this Thanksgiving.
The Chicago Department of Aviation says holiday travel started Monday and will last through Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Aviation Department officials expect Chicago's Midway International Airport to have a 3 percent increase in passenger volume this year. About 525,000 passengers are expected at Midway. A slight increase is expected at O'Hare International Airport, with about 1.4 million passengers.
Sunday is forecast to be the busiest travel day.
Snow Could Affect Thanksgiving Travelers
Aviation experts say Chicago's airports will see more than 1.9 million passengers
Copyright AP - Associated Press
