Thanksgiving Week Forecast: Where Cold, Rain and Snow Could Disrupt Holiday Travel

Americans are preparing for one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. AAA projects nearly 82 million people will travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, a 2% increase from last year, with about 73.3 million driving and roughly 6 million flying. With the busiest travel days expected the day before Thanksgiving, travelers should monitor forecasts and plan extra time for delays.

Friday

Forecasters warn that Friday could be the worst travel day for early departures. Storms may develop along the Gulf Coast, while heavy rain is likely across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys and the Central Plains. The central Rockies could see lingering snow.

In the interior Northeast — especially inland New England and the higher elevations of the Green and White Mountains — wintry precipitation and temperatures near freezing could produce icy, slippery conditions on highways. A Pacific storm pushing onshore will bring rain and mountain snow to parts of the West and Southwest.

Airports that may be affected Friday: Atlanta, New York-area airports, Boston, Washington-area airports, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Saturday

Precipitation should be more limited, but rain will still extend from eastern Texas up into Delaware. The heaviest totals are expected in the southern Appalachians near Tennessee and the Carolinas, which could complicate travel. The West Coast should trend quieter with only lingering showers in spots.

Airports that may be affected Saturday: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston and Seattle.

Sunday

The southern Rockies may see a mix of rain and mountain snow. Light rain is possible across the southern Plains and Tennessee Valley, while the Pacific Northwest will again see rain and mountain snow in higher terrain.

Airports that may be affected Sunday: Dallas and Seattle.

Monday

Heavy rain is expected across much of the central U.S. — from Texas and Louisiana north into the upper Mississippi Valley — raising the risk of localized flooding. In the northern Rockies and Cascades, snow and strong winds could make mountain passes slippery and hazardous for drivers.

Tuesday

Additional rain is likely in the Midwest and could spread eastward toward the Atlantic seaboard. Thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Southeast. Wind-driven snow may occur across the Northern Plains (exact locations are uncertain), and another system could deliver rain and mountain snow to the Northwest.

Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve)

Showers may linger along the East Coast, increasing the chance of flight delays at busy hubs from the Southeast to New England. Lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes could create hazardous driving conditions, and the Pacific Northwest will remain seasonably wet with periods of rain and mountain snow.

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day)

Heavy bands of lake-effect snow combined with strong winds could create localized whiteout conditions in parts of the Great Lakes region. Expect windy, chilly conditions across the Northeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic; crosswinds may cause delays at major airports. Out West, snow is likely in the northern Rockies and High Plains.

Outlook from AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill

Chad Merrill notes colder air will push from the Northwest into the Rockies early in the week, bringing snow and gusty winds. By the end of the week, temperatures in the northern Rockies could be as much as 20 degrees below average. A weak Santa Ana wind event is possible in Southern California on Thanksgiving Day, but recent rainfall has reduced wildfire risk.

Across the Plains and Midwest, expect rain and possible thunderstorms early to midweek followed by strong winds and a sharp temperature drop that could reach the Texas Gulf Coast. Travelers returning home after the holiday may face snow and blowing snow, especially north of I-70.

In the East, a cold front early in the week will bring breezy conditions with scattered rain and snow showers; another storm around Thanksgiving could deliver rain to the Southeast and mid-Atlantic and snow showers in parts of the Northeast. By the close of the holiday weekend, colder air and continued precipitation are likely, with lake-effect snow and strong winds affecting areas downwind of the Great Lakes.

Travel tips

Plan ahead: Check airline and road conditions before you leave, allow extra travel time, keep an emergency winter driving kit in your vehicle, and follow local advisories for flooding or winter-weather alerts.