Thanksgiving-Week Weather Outlook: Where Rain, Snow and Cold Could Disrupt Travel

Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving this year — a 2% increase from last year — with most (about 73.3 million) driving and roughly 6 million flying. With travel volumes high, meteorologists warn several weather systems this weekend and into Thanksgiving week could cause delays on roads and at major airport hubs.

Weekend snapshot

Friday

Forecasters say Friday may be the most problematic day for early Thanksgiving travel. Coastal Gulf states could see stormy conditions, while heavy rain is likely across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys and the Central Plains. The central Rockies may still experience lingering mountain snow.

In the Northeast, inland New England and higher elevations of the Green and White Mountains could see wintry mixes — freezing rain, sleet or wet snow — that create slippery highway conditions. On the West Coast, a system moving onshore will bring rain and mountain snow to parts of the Southwest. Major airport hubs that could experience weather-related disruptions include Atlanta, New York, Boston, Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Saturday

Precipitation should decrease nationwide, but a corridor of rain will remain from eastern Texas up to Delaware. The heaviest rain is expected in the southern Appalachians near Tennessee and the Carolinas and may affect road travel. Showers will taper on the West Coast, though some lingering wet weather is possible. Airports that might be impacted include Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston and Seattle.

Sunday

The Southern Rockies could see a mix of rain and mountain snow, with light rain possible across the southern Plains and Tennessee Valley. The Pacific Northwest is likely to experience rain and mountain snow once again.

Regional outlook for the Thanksgiving week

Western U.S.

Cold air will push from the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies early in the week, producing snow and gusty winds. Temperatures in the northern Rockies could fall as much as 20°F below average by the end of the week. Southern California may see a brief, weak offshore wind event around Thanksgiving Day, but recent rain has reduced wildfire risk.

Central U.S.

The Plains into the Midwest are forecast to receive rain and possible thunderstorms from early to midweek, followed by a surge of strong winds and blustery conditions. Temperatures are expected to plunge around Thanksgiving, potentially reaching down toward the Texas Gulf Coast. Travelers returning home later in the week should monitor forecasts north of I-70 for snow and blowing snow that could affect driving and secondary roads.

Eastern U.S.

A cold front early in the week will bring breezy conditions with rain and snow showers to parts of the Northeast. Another storm arriving around Thanksgiving Day could deliver rain to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic and produce additional snow showers in northern New England. By the end of the holiday weekend, much colder air and additional precipitation are expected in many areas, with lake-effect snow and gusty winds in traditional snow-belt regions.

Practical travel tips

Allow extra travel time, especially on Friday and the Tuesday–Wednesday window before Thanksgiving, which historically sees the busiest traffic. Check airport and airline alerts, keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, and follow local forecasts for road conditions and advisories. If flying, verify your flight status before leaving for the airport and expect potential delays at the hubs listed above.

Forecast details referenced from meteorologists and national weather models; regional comments attributed to AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill.