Pedestrians walk on a snowy street on Sunday, November 25, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. Conditions similar to the snowstorm closed highways and delayed air traffic when a winter storm was moving in the Midwest. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel) ORG XMIT: MOCR108(Photo: Charlie Riedel, AP)

A winter storm accumulated under heavy snow and strong winds disrupted flights and highways across a Midwestern section on Monday, as the United States returned to work after Thanksgiving weekend.

Blizzard and near-blizzard conditions prevailed in the area from Chicago to Kansas. Chicago could see a foot of snow before the weather improves later on Monday. Other hard-hit areas saw between 6 and 18 inches.

"As a city, we have a habit of snowing, but it's our first of the season," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This (storm) also brings unpredictability with strong winds and falling temperatures."

Nearly 200,000 homes and businesses in Illinois were without electricity Monday, with over 50,000 more in Michigan and Indiana. Experienced Illinois parties whiteout conditions, bursts of 50 mph and up to 2 inches of snow per hour.

The National Meteorological Service warned Monday against dangerous travel conditions, but said the storm would reduce its grip on the area all day.

Nearly 2,000 flights had been canceled Sunday and Monday. The O 'Hare International Airport in Chicago was the hardest hit, but Kansas City, Milwaukee; Omaha and Des Moines were among the main arteries, with canceled and delayed flights.

Airlines delays at the entry or exit of Chicago have had a nationwide coaching effect. Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver and Boston were among other airports facing collateral scheduling problems. The weather has caused most major airlines to waive the change fee.

More: Snow! Airlines waive change fees for post-Thanksgiving storm

More: Snow: More than 650 flights canceled by the storm after Thanksgiving Sunday

The snow has dropped nearly 10 inches in parts of Idaho and Wyoming Saturday night through Sunday. Jackson, Wyoming, was hit with 9 inches.

Paul Walker, Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather, said the blizzard and near-blizzard conditions were a problem from Topeka (Kansas) and Omaha (Nebraska) to Des Moines (Iowa) and Madison (Wisconsin). More than one foot of snow is likely in southeastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, northwestern Missouri and southwestern Iowa. Branches and power lines that have fallen to the ground will continue to cause power outages.

Large highways between small country roads could see dangerous driving conditions, warned Walker.

Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer said a state-wide disaster emergency situation. Parts of Interstate 70 were ordered closed in the state.

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"The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced the closure of several roads because of visibility," said Colyer. "We strongly recommend postponing travel plans due to conditions, if possible."

In Nebraska, parts of I-80 were closed when snow and accidents took over the road.

The rapid storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of New England by Tuesday, one foot or more in northern New Hampshire and Maine. Temperatures will fall Monday and Tuesday from the Ohio Valley to the east coast. The conditions could be 15 to 30 degrees below normal, especially in the central Mississippi Valley and in parts of the Ohio Valley.

Contributors: Ben Mutzabaugh and Kristin Lam, USA today; The Associated Press

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