• http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/1d2lPF.St.138.jpeg|494
    Joe Ahlquist - AP
    From left, Daniel Meier, 11, Matthew Thorn, 11, and Logan Smith, 12 all of Winona, Minn., share a sled while sledding down the hill at Bluffside Park Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Winona, Minn. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Joe Ahlquist)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/qSYSB.St.138.jpeg|525
    Cliff Jette - AP
    Ryan Freese shovels in front of his neighbor's house along First Ave in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, December 20, 2012. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers and sending drivers sliding over slick roads _ including into a fatal 25-vehicle pileup in Iowa.  (AP Photo/The Gazette-Cliff Jette) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/gZ2F5.St.138.jpeg|423
    Dan Powers - AP
    Nathan Disch, right, of Appleton looks on in astonishment as Carina Panella of Appleton catches some air while sledding at Prairie Hill Park in Thursday, December 20, 2012, during a winter storm in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers and sending drivers sliding over slick roads _ including into a fatal 25-vehicle pileup in Iowa. (AP Photo/The Post-Crescent, Dan Powers) NO SALES
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/1sOYWj.St.138.jpeg|412
    Jessica A. Stewart - AP
    Sledders are usually seen on the hills of Hyde Park in St. Joseph, Mo. after a significant snowfall, but on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 only deer could be seen. (AP Photo/St. Joseph News-Press, Jessica A. Stewart)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/Dc9zW.St.138.jpeg|380
    Michael P. King - AP
    A group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students assist a food delivery truck driver in freeing his truck after making a stop at Wasabi Japanese Restaurant on State Street in Madison, Wis., Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2012. They were not successful. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, M.P. King)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/1mzCDb.St.138.jpeg|426
    Michael P. King - AP
    Motorists drive on East Washington Avenue towards downtown Madison, Wis., during a strong snowstorm Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, M.P. King)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/09/1ipM5V.St.138.jpeg|345
    Andrew Link - AP
    Westbound Interstate 90 was temporarily blocked by a jack-knifed semi-trailer Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, morning west of the Rushford, Minn., exit. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Andrew Link)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/08/cP3d5.St.138.jpeg|366
    Charlie Neibergall - AP
    Noah Nichols, of Des Moines, Iowa, cleans snow off his car, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. The first widespread snowstorm of the season began a slow crawl across the Midwest on Thursday with some areas receiving as much as 15 inches of snow. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/08/1bYgiT.St.138.jpeg|394
    Jerry Olson - AP
    Snow clearing crews in Pine Island, Minn were out early trying to clear roads before morning commuters headed to work on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/The Rochester Post-Bulletin, Jerry Olson)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/08/1ewEWP.St.138.jpeg|455
    Joe Ahlquist - AP
    Joe Roland uses a snow blower to clear snow from the sidewalk on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in downtown Winona, Minn. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend.(AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Joe Ahlquist)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/07/IfCaB.St.138.jpeg|481
    Joe Ahlquist - AP
    Joe Jackson clears off snow from his truck on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Winona, Minn. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Joe Ahlquist)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/07/j9odl.St.138.jpeg|364
    Glen Stubbe - AP
    Gene Fritz clears snow from new vehicles at Valley Buick, Thursday morning, Dec. 20, 2012 in Apple Valley, Minn. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers and sending drivers sliding over slick roads _ including into a fatal 25-vehicle pileup in Iowa. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Glen Stubbe) MANDATORY CREDIT; ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS OUT; MAGS OUT; TWIN CITIES TV OUT
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/07/1qji3K.St.138.jpeg|407
    Michael P. King - AP
    A snow fight ensues among University of Wisconsin-Madison students on Bascom Hill in Madison, Wis., Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, M.P. King)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/07/bbQcJ.St.138.jpeg|525
    Jerry Olson - AP
    With schools closed due to the season's heaviest snowfall to date, Candida Lopez makes her way to a friends house to spend the day Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 in Rochester, Minn. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Rochester Post-Bulletin, Jerry Olson)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/07/1enzjn.St.138.jpeg|451
    Orlin Wagner - AP
    Blowing snow reduces vision as motorists wait for a light change in Lawrence, Kan., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The Midwest's first major snowstorm of the season was sweeping across several states early Thursday, shuttering schools, creating treacherous roadways and threatening to slow down one of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/06/4eKYl.St.138.jpeg|416
    REBECCA S. GRATZ - AP
    Kiera Kelly curls up to sleep at Eppley Airfield in Omaha Neb., after her flight to Denver was canceled Wednesday Dec. 19, 2012. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/The Omaha World-Herald, Rebecca S. Gratz) MAGS OUT TV OUT
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/06/LNaDM.St.138.jpeg|441
    John Hart - AP
    Snow-covered cars in a parking lot greet early morning risers in Madison, Wis. as a severe winter storm moves through the upper Midwest Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, John Hart)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/06/1nLgiz.St.138.jpeg|448
    John Hart - AP
    Covered in steadily falling snow, Colman Devine makes his way home from an overnight work shift in Madison, Wis., as a severe winter storm hits the upper Midwest Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest Thursday, creating treacherous, sometimes deadly driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, John Hart)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/06/OmSAD.St.138.jpeg|525
    Amber Arnold - AP
    Rachel Goins pulls her children, Noah, 2, front, and Caden, 5, in a sled up the driveway during a winter snow storm in Oregon, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, Amber Arnold)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/06/TqYSd.St.138.jpeg|388
    Jerry Olson - AP
    A towing crew from Moody's of Rochester, Minn. hooks up a tanker trailer truck that lost control and landed in the median of U.S. 52 North near Oronocco, Minn. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend.(AP Photo/ Rochester Post-Bulletin, Jerry Olson)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/05/1bv6R7.St.138.jpeg|525
    Charlie Riedel - AP
    Kurt Blunt, of Overland Park, Kan., blows snow off a client's driveway Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Prairie Village, Kan. The first widespread snowstorm of the season began a slow crawl across the Midwest on Thursday with some areas receiving as much as 15 inches of snow. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/05/13zLSd.St.138.jpeg|436
    - AP
    This photo provided by the Iowa State Patrol shows the scene of a 25-vehicle pileup that killed three people Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 north of Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities said drivers were blinded by blowing snow and didn’t see vehicles that had slowed or stopped on Interstate 80 about 60 miles north of Des Moines. A chain reaction of crashes involving semitrailers and passenger cars closed down a section of the highway. (AP Photo/Iowa State Patrol)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/uRW7A.St.138.jpeg|449
    Joe Ahlquist - AP
    Duc Nguyen shovels the sidewalk in front of the Great Hunan Restaurant while it snows Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Winona, Minn. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Joe Ahlquist)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/1hXpFL.St.138.jpeg|525
    John Dixon - AP
    Pedestrians hurry through the intersection of Wright and Green Streets in Champaign, Ill., as a winter storm begins to blanket the area, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/The News-Gazette, John Dixon) MANDATORY CREDIT.
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/lMgFJ.St.138.jpeg|418
    Joe Ahlquist - AP
    Snow falls at the corner of Main Street and Third Street early Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, morning in downtown Winona, Minn. The first major snowstorm of the season began its slow eastward march across the Midwest early Thursday, creating treacherous driving conditions and threatening to disrupt some of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Joe Ahlquist)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/KwDrN.St.138.jpeg|525
    Glen Stubbe - AP
    SuperAmerica employees clear the sidewalk in front of their station, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 in Apple Valley, Minn. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers and sending drivers sliding over slick roads _ including into a fatal 25-vehicle pileup in Iowa. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Glen Stubbe) MANDATORY CREDIT; ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS OUT; MAGS OUT; TWIN CITIES TV OUT
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/1sGns8.St.138.jpeg|416
    Cliff Jette - AP
    Eleven-year-old Quinn Dzikonski and her father Craig Dzikonski build a family of snowmen outside their home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, December 20, 2012. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers and sending drivers sliding over slick roads _ including into a fatal 25-vehicle pileup in Iowa.  (AP Photo/The Gazette-Cliff Jette) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/04/1iK9u4.St.138.jpeg|441
    John Hart - AP
    Luke McHenry, left, his son, Sebastian Wells, dig out their snow-buried vehicle as residents in Madison, Wis. contend with a severe winter storm that moved through the upper Midwest Thursday, December 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, John Hart)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/ndHDV.St.138.jpeg|429
    Nam Y. Huh - AP
    Passengers talk on their phone at Midway airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. The first widespread snowstorm of the season crawled across the Midwest on Thursday, with whiteout conditions stranding holiday travelers. The storm led airlines to cancel about 1,000 flights ahead of the Christmas holiday — relatively few compared to past big storms, though the number was climbing. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/esONf.St.138.jpeg|525
    Jan-Michael Stump - AP
    Deb Mikko shovels the driveway of her home on Panorama Lane in Traverse City, Mich., on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, as a winter storm moves into Northwestern Lower Michigan. (AP Photo/The Record-Eagle, Jan-Michael Stump)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/UZfqo.St.138.jpeg|404
    DAVID EULITT - MCT
    Kansas City, Missouri city workers examine a fallen tree that landed on a telephone wire during snow and windstorm, Thursday, December 20, 2012, in Kansas City. (David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/153MZp.St.138.jpeg|431
    Mark Hoffman - MCT
    With all four wheels spinning because of the heavy snow, Arne Johnson clears a driveway, Thursday morning, December 20, 2012 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It is the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/aC2j8.St.138.jpeg|416
    MICHAEL SEARS - MCT
    John Hoffmann uses his ATV with a plow on the front to clear the parking lot of his "West Side Taxidermy" business, while his wife Barbara Hoffmann, right, was relegated to using a shovel, in West Bend, Wisconsin, Thursday, December 20, 2012. (Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/03/1cmlpi.St.138.jpeg|416
    MICHAEL SEARS - MCT
    Marma McIntee rakes the snow off the roof of her home on Poplar Street in West Bend, Wisconsin, Thursday, December 20, 2012. (Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/02/uFFZ2.St.138.jpeg|340
    JOHN SLEEZER - The Kansas City Star
    Traffic creeps along 11th Street near Ridgeview Road in Olathe, Kansas, during rush hour and snowstorm, Thursday, December 20, 2012. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/02/Fif24.St.138.jpeg|473
    Mary Schulte - MCT
    Rosehill Gardens employees Jose Flores, from left, Miguel Villalta and Eddie Urizar clear the sidewalks of the Brookside shops in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday morning, December 20, 2012, after the overnight snowstorm. (Mary Schulte/Kansas City Star/MCT)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/02/1i87Bz.St.138.jpeg|454
    Brennan Linsley - AP
    A man skis though deep powder from a storm a day earlier, after hiking up a public mountainside atop Berthoud Pass, near Winter Park, Colo., Thursday Dec. 20, 2012. The fresh snow, with more expected before Christmas, has left much of Colorado ski-country replenished after a relatively warm and dry Fall. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/02/PnVlx.St.138.jpeg|406
    Brennan Linsley - AP
    Skiers hike up a public mountainside which they will ski down later, taking advantage of a snow storm which passed through a day earlier, in Berthoud Pass, near Winter Park, Colo., Thursday Dec. 20, 2012. The fresh snow, with more expected before Christmas, has left much of Colorado ski-country replenished after a relatively warm and dry Fall. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/02/fbi3W.St.138.jpeg|428
    Brennan Linsley - AP
    A man skis though deep powder from a storm a day earlier, after hiking up a public mountainside atop Berthoud Pass, near Winter Park, Colo., Thursday Dec. 20, 2012. The fresh snow, with more expected before Christmas, has left much of Colorado ski-country replenished after a relatively warm and dry Fall. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/01/1oQhZ6.St.138.jpeg|411
    Brennan Linsley - AP
    A dog owned by skiers runs through fresh snow from a storm a day earlier, on a mountainside hiked up by skiers and snowboarders, on Berthoud Pass, near Winter Park, Colo., Thursday Dec. 20, 2012. The fresh snow, with more expected before Christmas, has left much of Colorado ski-country replenished after a relatively warm and dry Fall. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/01/JO6FF.St.138.jpeg|525
    Orlin Wagner - AP
    Early morning motorists travel west along I-70 and into a winter storm near Lawrence, Kan., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Winter weather advisories are in effect for the area. The Midwest's first major snowstorm of the season was sweeping across several states early Thursday, shuttering schools, creating treacherous roadways and threatening to slow down one of the nation's busiest airports ahead of the holiday weekend. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/01/rqK8m.St.138.jpeg|350
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    MADISON, WI -DECEMBER 20: Traffic is backed up along I-90 on December 20, 2012 near Madison, Wisconsin. The State Patrol was warning motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin In the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/01/1mGq4w.St.138.jpeg|354
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    MADISON, WI -DECEMBER 20: Shoveling out cars was just one of the battles of the storm on December 20, 2012 in in Madison, Wisconsin. The State Patrol was warning motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin In the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/00/1trzqM.St.138.jpeg|416
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    BARABOO, WI -DECEMBER 20: Snow sticks to the trees during the winter storm December 20, 2012 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The State Patrol was warning motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin In the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/00/aPIbl.St.138.jpeg|375
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    FAIRFIELD, WI -DECEMBER 20: Abby Moon and Carley Moon are pulled on a mattress by their grandfather Clyde Moon's four wheeler during a winter storm in Fairfield, WI December 20, 2012. The State Patrol was warning motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin In the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/00/3w84B.St.138.jpeg|384
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    BARABOO, WI -DECEMBER 20: Lisa Schultz shovels her sidewalk during a winter storm December 20, 2012 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The State Patrol had warned motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin, the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/00/1lXnMr.St.138.jpeg|337
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    BARABOO, WI -DECEMBER 20: Nick Goetz leans against his car tired from pushing it out of the snow during a winter storm December 20, 2012 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The State Patrol had warned motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin, the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/20/20/00/wpISP.St.138.jpeg|397
    Tom Lynn - Getty Images
    BARABOO, WI -DECEMBER 20: The Aldo Leopold "Shack" during a winter storm December 20, 2012 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The State Patrol was warning motorists to stay home as a paralyzing winter storm bore down on Wisconsin In the first significant snowstorm to hit southern Wisconsin in two winters. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
Loading in additional galleries