Thanksgiving winter storm in Northeast could snarl holiday travel

On By Littum

A fast-moving storm that sweeps across the United States at the start of the week won’t pose too much of a threat, although some snow could lead to delays on the ground and in the air in the Great Lakes area, while rain could lead to delays in northeast.

Travel will be in full swing across the United States as tens of thousands of people prepare to leave for the Thanksgiving holiday. And while the FOX Forecast Center expects some potential disruption in the beginning and toward the middle of the week, bigger problems could arise for those traveling home — especially in the Northeast.

‘Tis the season.

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The FOX Forecast Center said that early this week, a weak storm system is expected to bring rain from parts of the Southeast to the Northeast.

Significant travel disruptions are not expected with this low-impact storm, and the FOX Forecast Center expects all winter weather to be limited near the Canadian border and in the Great Lakes region.

Meanwhile, with increasingly warmer temperatures in the East, heavy rain should fall along the heavily traveled Interstate 95 corridor. But this is by no means a dealbreaker when it comes to Thanksgiving travel.

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Thanksgiving winter storm looming?

The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the potential for a severe winter storm to hit the Northeast on Thanksgiving, with the possibility of snow in interior parts of the region and more rain closer to the coast along the Interstate 95 corridor that could put the brakes on post-Thanksgiving travel.

At the same time, the FOX Forecast Center said a more powerful storm system will work its way through the Intermountain West, which could lead to snowy roads and delays at major airports in that region.

But of greater concern to residents and visitors to the eastern United States, the FOX Forecast Center said it will track a winter storm that could affect millions of people in the Northeast and New England starting Wednesday and lasting through the weekend.

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This graphic shows the rain and snow forecast through the start of the week leading up to Thanksgiving.
(FOX Weather)

On the warm side of the storm, there is the potential for heavy rainfall throughout the Tennessee Valley and into the mid-Atlantic, which could cause problems on Thanksgiving Day.

While more rain is expected along the I-95 corridor, concerns are starting to mount that heavy snow could significantly impact travel on Thanksgiving Day and after the holiday.

“Usually I get this little tingling sensation when the 95 corridor is in play for the rain-snow line,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar. “This, to me, feels like an inland cutter. So I think it will be normal rain. If we do get snow, it will probably be across the interior of the interior in the higher elevations.”

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This graphic shows comparisons of computer models showing a winter storm in the Northeast that could slow travel after Thanksgiving.
(FOX Weather)

The FOX Forecast Center says there is an increasing likelihood that those in the Northeast affected by last week’s winter storm will face another significant snowstorm, especially from Thanksgiving Day through Black Friday.

Forecasters said this brewing storm and its effects are likely to continue into next weekend and could affect travel, whether by car or plane.

“There are several days out in the forecast, so things could change a little bit,” FOX weather meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said. “But the trend really hasn’t been for the low pressure to go more out to sea. And that’s what would get more snow along the I-95 corridor.”

Additionally, the season’s first heavy lake effect snow event may also occur in the Great Lakes region next weekend and into early next week.

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Bitter blast of cold weather

This graphic shows the temperature forecast from Friday, November 29 to Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

It’s not just the snow and rain that can make these journeys home disappointing.

The FOX Forecast Center expects some of the coldest air of the season to invade the United States from Canada in the days after Thanksgiving and into early December.

Below-average temperatures are expected across a large swath of the US, with parts of the northern plains expected to drop perhaps as low as -10 degrees.

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And if you factor in the wind chill, it can feel even colder.

Be sure to download the free FOX Weather app and enable notifications to be alerted to any changes in the forecast that may affect your travel plans.