If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, be sure to pack your patience. Bickering family members won't be the only headache this holiday weekend: AccuWeather’s latest forecast paints a messy picture for millions of travelers this week, with thunderstorms, fog, flooding rain, high winds and even a blizzard all on the horizon.
Fog, severe storms and downpours have already slowed parts of the South Central states and the northern Rockies this week. Unfortunately, the slowdown spreads on Tuesday as two storm systems will move east and north. The Southern storm will weaken as it reaches the Northeast, but it will still bring gusty thunderstorms, rain-soaked roads and low visibility. That combination is enough to trigger delays on highways and at major airports.
“Many families traveling in the eastern half of the country will likely encounter delays and disruptions before the end of the weekend. A record number of travelers combined with two large storms before and then after Thanksgiving Day is a recipe for trouble,” AccuWeather Vice President of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said.
The Southeast faces the highest risk of disruptive weather on Tuesday. Heavy and locally severe storms will stretch from eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Expect downpours to roll through the Interstate 85 corridor, leading to possible ground stops at airports in Atlanta and New Orleans.
Farther north, the bigger problem is snow. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham says an area of snow in the north central states will intensify into a full storm and then blizzard conditions as Tuesday night progresses. Interstates 29 and 94 will be the trouble spots, with slippery travel and possible closures.
Winds will roar around the Great Lakes from Tuesday night through Thanksgiving. Lakes Superior and Erie will take the brunt, and Buffalo may be hit especially hard Wednesday night into Thursday morning with possible power outages.
Out West, an incoming Pacific storm will kick off an atmospheric river event from Tuesday into Thanksgiving Day. Expect drenching rain, rising rivers and heavy snow in the higher terrain of the Northwest.
Much colder air will sweep across the Central states, East and South on Wednesday, with temperatures dropping up to 20 degrees. Blizzard conditions will develop from Minnesota to northern Michigan, especially near Lake Superior. Travel along interstates 35 and 94 will become hazardous as strong winds create near-zero visibility.
Then there's the lake-effect snow southeast of the Great Lakes that will affect interstates 75, 79, 80, 81, 86, 90 and 196. Air travel could also slow in Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland as gusts top 40 mph.
The East Coast will dry out Wednesday afternoon, though morning rain and fog may cause lingering delays. Out West, Seattle and Portland face more rain, more wind and more airport backups.
By Thanksgiving Day, most issues will be concentrated near the Great Lakes and the Northwest. Heavy lake effect snow will push inland over Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and western and central New York. The Northwest will see more snow over Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, while the I 5 corridor will stay slick with steady rain.
New York City will escape most of the storms, but gusty winds may force the Thanksgiving Day parade balloons lower to the ground. "Feels like" temps will stay in the 20s and 30s, so bundle up if you plan to watch in person.
In short, expect delays, stay flexible and keep an eye on conditions wherever your holiday travels are taking you.