Over 2,000 Flights Grounded as Vicious Storm Slams Chicago, Midwest

A powerful winter storm is causing major travel headaches and flight cancellations across large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast. '

Over 2,000 flights have been canceled nationwide on Friday as snow, ice, and gusty winds pummel airports from Iowa to New England.

The Midwest faces near-blizzard conditions, with heavy snow, gale-force winds and bitterly cold temperatures combining snarl air travel. Whiteout visibility and slippery runways have forced the grounding of hundreds of flights at major Midwest hubs like Chicago and Detroit.

Six to 12 inches of snow is forecast across a wide area, making road travel extremely hazardous. The winter blast could also bring record cold in its wake as arctic air plunges southward over the weekend.

Wind chills of -60F are possible in northern Montana, with readings of -40F or lower across the Dakotas.