FIRST WINTER STORM BLANKETS MIDWEST, DELAYS HOLIDAY TRAVEL

The Midwest had its first blast of winter this year, as a strong storm moved cross country from northern California to New England, leaving 13 dead in its wake and causing major air traffic tieups as the Thanksgiving weekend came to a wintery close this morning. Midwestern areas were blanketed with snow, with 15 inches dropping on Minnesota, causing a rash of auto accidents and closing the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Powerful thunderstorms hit the deep south, and tornadoes demolished homes and blew off roofs in Tennessee. The northeast was treated to several inches of snow, turned sleet, during today's morning commute.