Traveling after Thanksgiving is expected to be challenging due to a cross-country storm bringing rain and snow from Friday through Sunday. Millions of Americans may face difficult conditions as they return home from the holiday weekend.

On Friday afternoon, a new storm system will move across the country, prompting winter weather alerts from Idaho and Montana to Indiana and Michigan. Chicago and Milwaukee are under a Winter Storm Warning from Friday night through early Sunday. This storm is expected to impact the Midwest significantly during the first half of the weekend.

Northern Michigan has already seen over a foot of snow, while areas around Cleveland and Erie have recorded 3 to 4 inches. A Lake Effect Snow Warning is in effect for parts of upstate New York, where an additional 6 to 20 inches of snow is possible, accompanied by wind gusts up to 50 mph.

The rest of the country will remain dry and calm for Black Friday. However, on Saturday, rain and showers are forecasted from Kansas and Missouri down to Louisiana and Texas. Snowfall of 6 to over 12 inches is anticipated in regions from Nebraska to Michigan, affecting major cities like Minneapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit. Heavy snow and strong winds could create whiteout conditions, making travel extremely hazardous across the Midwest.

In Chicago, snow is expected to begin around 6 a.m. Saturday and continue until noon Sunday, with total accumulations ranging from 6 to more than 10 inches. St. Louis will see snowy conditions starting around 4 a.m. Saturday, with 2 to 4 inches of snow possible by the evening.

By Sunday afternoon and evening, the storm will bring rain to much of the East Coast, particularly the Northeast. Temperatures are expected to be too warm for widespread snow, resulting in rainy showers through Sunday evening.

Sunday is projected to be the busiest air travel day following Thanksgiving. Travelers along the I-95 corridor are advised to consider traveling earlier on Sunday or rescheduling to Saturday to avoid rain and slick road conditions, if possible.