Record-breaking winter storm leads to plane slide-off and crashes across the Midwest, U.S.

The winter storm broke multiple snowfall records across the Midwest. St. Louis, Missouri, recorded 16.2 cm (6.4 inches) of snow through Saturday.

This was the highest snowfall accumulation for the city since 1929 and the fifth-highest on record, according to the NWS.

Snowfall accumulations in parts of the region reached 20-25 cm (8–10 inches). Hannibal, Missouri, and Pittsfield, Illinois, both recorded 25 cm (10 inches) of snow through Saturday. Multiple daily and monthly snow records were reportedly broken across the Midwest through Saturday.

The storm caused travel disruptions across the affected regions, with over 1 000 flights to and from Chicago airports being canceled in 24 hours, with more disruptions expected through this weekend.

Delta flight 5087 slid off the runway at around 22:00 local time (LT) on Saturday while arriving at the Des Moines (DSM) International Airport, Iowa, due to icy conditions. The plane was coming in from Detroit, Michigan, when the incident occurred.

All 58 passengers were safely transported off the aircraft with no injuries reported, according to Des Moines International Airport Communications Manager Sarah Hoodjer.

The airport had to be closed due to the incident, and remained closed as of Sunday morning, November 30. While there was no clear timeline for reopening, DSM airport officials said the airport was expected to open by midday on Sunday.

“The aircraft remains on pavement at this time and will be moved once it is formally released by the National Transportation Safety Board,” Hoodjer told NewsRadio 1040 WHO.

“We are aware and collecting information, but have not opened an investigation at this time,” said Sarah Taylor Sulick, NTSB Public Affairs Specialist

The closure is affecting thousands of travelers trying to get home after the holiday. The Federal Aviation Administration says this is one of the busiest Thanksgivings in 15 years.

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect across most of the Upper Midwest, covering areas from South Dakota and Nebraska to Ohio and Indiana through Sunday.

Flights to O’Hare were delayed on average by five hours on Saturday. A ground stop was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration at both Midway and O’Hare due to deteriorating weather conditions on Saturday, halting flights at the major travel hubs.

Multiple interstate highways across the Midwest have been affected by the major snowstorm in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

The I-80 Eastbound was closed off for about an hour due to a multi-vehicle crash at around 20:21 LT on Saturday that resulted in minor injuries.

Major crashes were reported throughout the Central U.S. on Saturday, including a 45-car pile-up that shut down I-70 near Vigo County, Indiana.

The Iowa State Patrol reported 182 crashes and 488 motorist assists from the winter storm due to snow on highways.

Snow-covered highways in the St. Louis area led to multiple crashes and stalled vehicles, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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