NY, NJ braces for winter storm as Mother Nature threatens holiday travel with brutal weather

Parts of New York and New Jersey could be hit by a winter storm within days as brutal weather threatens the country — and the travel plans of millions of Americans — just in time for the start of Thanksgiving week.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-40s as rain and high winds batter the metro area Wednesday night into Thursday, meteorologists said.

Residents of northern New Jersey and western and upstate New York can expect much colder temperatures and snowfall, according to FOX Weather.

The lingering effect from Mother Nature’s chaos could wreak havoc on residents’ travel plans at the start of the holiday week, experts said.

“Keep an eye on the low pressure system forming south of New York as it could bring stronger winds and collapse airports ahead of the holiday,” FOX Weather meteorologist Cody Braud told the Post on Sunday.

While it’s too far out to know exactly how much rain New Yorkers can expect — or what residents will encounter on Thanksgiving day and the Wednesday before it — forecasters are predicting a “significant” amount of precipitation at least by the end of this week. Wind gusts can also reach 40 mph.

Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a newly formed pressure system south of New York City that, as it develops, could further bring strong winds and increased rain.

One bit of bright news from the weather mess is that the incoming rain would help ease the dangerous fire conditions currently in New York and New Jersey, as increased humidity, heavy rain and no lightning all reduce the risk of wildfires, Braud said.

Across the country, the first major winter storm of the season is developing out of the Ohio River Valley early this week.

Parts of Appalachia and the Great Lakes will likely see temperatures low enough to see heavy snow Wednesday through Thursday.

The storm will be preceded by a severe weather event in the southern and central plains that has the potential to cause tornadoes and flooding early this week.

This storm may also bring flash food to the region in the first half of this week.

Although much of the country won’t get cold enough for snow, the low pressure system is likely to bring a massive chill towards the middle and end of the week.

On Thursday, FOX Weather predicts 138 million Americans will experience below-average temperatures as these pressure systems move east.

Last year, AAA rated that 55.4 million people traveled 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday period, with a large majority of those people driving as opposed to flying.