Thanksgiving is almost here and millions of travelers are getting ready to hit the road and the skies to visit friends and family or just spend the holiday exploring a Thanksgiving-friendly city. Needless to say, the weather is on the minds of many, as rain and snow can disrupt even the most well-planned trip. Unfortunately, winter storms could affect both Thanksgiving travel plans and Thanksgiving-related events like the many beloved Thanksgiving Day parades.
Is Thanksgiving a good time to travel?
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year to travel. AAA expects record numbers, with 1.7 million more people traveling this year than last year. So it may not be the easiest time of year to travel, but for many it’s a chance to see friends and family, or take a needed vacation. As long as you can plan ahead and have the flexibility to travel on the least busy travel days, then Thanksgiving can be a good time to travel.
What’s the weather forecast for Thanksgiving in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, winter storms and cold weather could potentially cause significant disruptions over the Thanksgiving holiday, with warnings stretching from California to the East Coast.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for California and Nevada's Sierra Nevada mountains, where up to 3 feet of snow could accumulate at higher elevations through Wednesday. In the Midwest, snowfall is anticipated across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Great Lakes region starting Monday. Parts of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York’s Eastern Adirondacks are under a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning.
A cold front sweeping across the country on Wednesday is expected to bring mostly rain to areas from Boston to New York City. Heavy rainfall may affect drivers, though temperatures are predicted to remain warm enough to avoid snow in these cities. Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, however, could bring snow in parts of upstate New York, New Hampshire and Maine. Forecasters are still uncertain about the precise areas that may experience snowfall during the holiday period.
Following Thanksgiving, a surge of freezing temperatures will grip the Great Lakes, Midwest and Northeast. Cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh and Columbus, could see high temperatures plunge into the 20s.
If you’ve got travel plans for the holiday, be sure to stay updated on local forecasts and prepare for potential delays both on the road and in the air.