Early forecasts by meteorologists are predicting that parts of the U.S., especially the Midwest and Northern areas, should brace themselves for heavy snow and winter storms over the Thanksgiving week, raising serious concerns about travel disruptions, hazardous road conditions, and delays for holiday plans.
Why It Matters
According to AAA, nearly 82 million people are expected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday period, making it one of the busiest travel seasons in the United States. However, the forecasted winter storms and snowfall could disrupt these planned journeys. Hazardous road conditions may lead to closures, while adverse weather is likely to cause widespread flight and train delays or cancellations, impacting millions of travelers nationwide.
What To Know
The latest Thanksgiving week weather forecasts, including reports from AccuWeather, are predicting a classic winter weather pattern for parts of the northern U.S..
Meteorologists anticipate that some areas across the Midwest and the North–especially Iowa, northern Michigan, Minnesota, and northern New England—are likely to see some snowfall, with possibly up to 8 inches in parts of Iowa.
The snow is expected to begin as wet and heavy before shifting to powdery flakes, raising the possibility of blowing and drifting if winds strengthen further into the week.
The National Weather Service’s blizzard criteria—a combination of falling or blowing snow, winds of at least 35 mph, and reduced visibility—have not been officially forecast, but meteorologists caution that blizzard-like conditions can’t be ruled out yet.
People planning to travel should prepare for disruption, allow for extra travel time, and keep emergency supplies on hand if heading into high-risk areas for snow and freezing temperatures.
What People Are Saying
Last week, AccuWeather meteorologist Geoff Cornish said: “There’s a storm system getting ready to move into the west as we step into next week. The polar vortex, the swirl of the coldest air, is generally spinning its wheels out over parts of the eastern sections of North America.”
In this week’s updated forecast, he said: “For the Thanksgiving week forecast, overall, the big picture view is that we’re looking at a storm track that’s generally more active in the Southwest right across the central U.S. into the northeast.”
What Happens Next
With around 90 percent of travelers expected to use the car to reach their holiday destinations, meteorologists are urging people to closely monitor the forecast over this week, into next, and check travel advisories immediately before traveling—especially if they’re heading north—as conditions could change.