Much of the country, from Seattle to Dallas, could be hit with heavy rain, wind and thunderstorms throughout the week.
Travel trouble for some the week of Thanksgiving
During the busiest travel week of the year, severe storms could have major impacts.
Heavy rain and snowstorms expected across wide swaths of the United States this week could muck up Thanksgiving travel for millions of Americans taking to the roads and skies.
Much of the country, from Seattle to Dallas, could be hit with heavy rain, wind and thunderstorms throughout the week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, and some areas in the northern United States may see several inches of snowfall.
The storm is expected to begin dropping rain and mountain snow in New Mexico and Colorado on Sunday, before moving east over the Plains region early in the week and toward the Midwest and East Coast closer to Thanksgiving.
“The best chance of severe weather will be in the South Central and Southeastern states,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok predicted.
Here’s what you need to know heading into the week.
How could the storm impact Thanksgiving travel?
The chances of downpours and lightning come during what’s expected to be one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. AAA predicts more than 81 million people will leave home to celebrate with loved ones for the holiday.
Early in the week, rainfall and thunderstorms could be intense enough to impact flights in Texas and Arkansas, including at airports in Austin, Dallas and Little Rock.
As the storm moves toward the central United States Tuesday, major airports in Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, Houston and Minneapolis could see delays, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
In the Great Lakes region, a wintry mix of snow and rain on Wednesday may disrupt traffic and flights in cities such as Detroit; Cleveland and Buffalo, New York, meteorologists said.
“Those traveling on Thanksgiving Day around the Great Lakes region may have to contend with typical lake-effect snow showers, which can result in reduced visibility and slippery travel,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Reneé Duff.
What’s the forecast for snow?
A separate eastward-moving system is forecast to bring light to moderate snow to parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin from Monday through Wednesday. Some lighter accumulation is expected farther south, according to AccuWeather.
By Wednesday, snow and gusty winds could make travel difficult in parts on Wyoming and Colorado.
The Great Lakes region could see several inches of snowfall along major interstates. Dropping temperatures in the region may reduce visibility and create icy conditions for those on the roads Thursday.
Periods of rain and mountain snow are likely Thursday for the Pacific Northwest region as well. An “atmospheric river” could bring moisture to the area, “increasing the risk of flooding and difficult travel conditions in western Washington and northwestern Oregon,” AccuWeather said.
