Winter weather threatens holiday travel across the U.S. this weekend

Around 53 million people from South Dakota to New York are under winter weather alerts this weekend as travelers head home from Thanksgiving festivities

Around 53 million people from South Dakota to New York are under winter weather alerts this weekend as travelers head home from Thanksgiving festivities.

A winter storm system is expected to intensify Saturday morning, bringing steady snow showers and creating potentially hazardous travel conditions across Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit and Roanoke, Virginia, are a few of the cities at risk through the weekend.

Snow showers will continue to fall over parts of the Midwest all day Saturday, with the most intense snowfall of 1 to 2 inches per hour expected in the afternoon and evening, combined with 35 mph wind gusts. Travel will be very difficult across the region.

Snow will gradually fade overnight, with a few lingering snow showers hugging Lake Michigan by Sunday morning. The highest snowfall totals will target parts of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, northern Indiana and Michigan, where 6 to 14 inches will be possible through early Sunday.

Snow-covered trees and a snow flurry seen in video on social media transformed Iowa City into a winter wonderland Saturday morning.