Millions Across the Nation Face Thanksgiving Travel Chaos as Severe Weather Looms

As many Americans prepare to gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving, severe storms are expected to disrupt travel plans and holiday preparations. The National Weather Service has warned about a pre-Thanksgiving storm that will affect travel from the central to the eastern United States early next week. The forecast includes severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, heavy rain, and snowfall.

On Monday, a low-pressure system moving through the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring severe thunderstorms to Louisiana and Mississippi. This system will then move eastward, bringing rain and gusty winds across the central U.S. The central Plains, middle Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys are preparing for significant rainfall, extending into the night and reaching metropolitan areas like Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati by the afternoon.

⚠️ Thanksgiving travel alert: Storm with rain and snow may cause delays across Midwest and Northeast. Plan ahead! 🌨️🚗 https://t.co/wDA8yMRPBP pic.twitter.com/wf6Mv2AQJV

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) November 20, 2023

Tuesday’s forecast brings further trouble for travelers as the storms move up the East Coast. The East Coast is expected to experience heavy rain, with cities like Pittsburgh and Atlanta potentially facing windy thunderstorms causing significant travel delays. Fog and slick roads may create hazardous driving conditions from the central Great Lakes to the Appalachian Mountains. Major East Coast airports, including those in Washington, D.C., and New York City, may experience delays due to high winds, with gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour.

The Northeast is preparing for a wintry mix, with northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York, Vermont, and Maine anticipating freezing rain. Snowfall is also expected, with parts of New York and Massachusetts expecting one to three inches, while Maine could see up to a foot of snow between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Thanksgiving travel rush is on, and a cross-country storm from the West Coast is expected to impact the Midwest and East Coast as early as Tuesday. CBS News’ Reed Cowan reports from Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/7vnqDmugXH

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 20, 2023

As the storm moves into the Northeast on Wednesday, it is expected to bring colder temperatures, leading to snowfall in northern New England, parts of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Boston is expected to experience the heaviest rain on Wednesday morning before conditions improve, making driving conditions better. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho, is forecasted to experience rain and mixed precipitation.

Thanksgiving Day is expected to bring dry conditions and cooler temperatures to much of the lower 48 states. However, snow is still expected in parts of New England and out West. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures to be 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit below average across the central and southern High Plains, with the central and western Gulf Coast region seeing highs 10-15 degrees below normal.

The cool temperatures are expected to continue through Friday, with another storm gathering moisture over the Gulf of Mexico and the Southeast, indicating wet weather for the weekend. However, the forecast is uncertain for the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, as weather patterns can change rapidly.

Travelers are advised to consider these weather conditions when planning their journeys. AAA has projected that 55.4 million travelers will venture 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday, with an estimated 49.13 million traveling by car and 4.69 million by plane. With such high travel volumes, the impending storms could not have come at a less opportune time, emphasizing the need for vigilance and flexibility in travel arrangements.

In conclusion, as families across America look forward to reuniting and giving thanks, they must also prepare for the potential disruptions posed by Mother Nature. It is a stark reminder of the power of the elements and the importance of staying informed and prepared for whatever conditions may arise.