The FOX Forecast Center continues to monitor Thanksgiving weather forecasts and expects there will be some possible travel disruptions. But while the majority of people should reach their destination without experiencing extreme weather, getting home can be a different story, especially in the East.

Nearly 80 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more, with peak travel days on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after.

The holiday week starts with stormy conditions on the West Coast and fast moving across the Great Lakes.

The storm system over the northern part of the United States is expected to leave the country on Tuesday, leading to minimal accumulations, but the system over the West Coast could pose challenges.

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Similar to the recent atmospheric river event, the invasion of moisture along the west coast is expected to result in heavy rain and gusty winds in the lower elevations and mountain snow.

Cities like Portland, Oregon and San Francisco are likely to see the heaviest precipitation, although the storm’s severity is expected to be much less than the recent deadly atmospheric river event that caused tree falls and flooding.

The energy will set the stage for a cross-country skiing event, but at least during the actual holiday it will remain quite disorganized.

During the period Tuesday through Thursday, scattered areas of precipitation are expected to work their way through the Rockies and the South, but remain under severe weather criteria.

In the Intermountain West, those driving through Colorado, Utah, Nevada and the mountains of California can expect to encounter areas of snow-covered roads. The storm could also cause delays at airports in places like Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

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Major hubs like Atlanta and Charlotte will see the impact of the storm system, with showers expected as far away as the mid-Atlantic. But the timing is expected to be rather fortunate.

The worst weather in the South is expected on the least busy flying day of the year: Thanksgiving Day itself. In 2023, only 1.5 million travelers passed through airport checkpoints, significantly fewer than the days before and after the holidays.

Thanksgiving Travel Winter Storm Weather Tracker: Live Maps, Airport Status, Flight Delays, Forecast & More

The FOX Forecast Center expects Black Friday to be the most disruptive day for travel, especially along the East Coast, as an area of ​​low pressure tries to develop off the East Coast.

Depending on the exact location of the low pressure center will determine whether the East Coast will only see occasional showers or if the day will be a washout – or more.

The forecast remains uncertain, but there is a growing chance of impactful winter weather in the Interior Northeast and back across the Great Lakes, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

The lake effect snow will likely continue into next weekend. Either way, the combination of heavy traffic, high winds and the potential for precipitation will lead to delays on roads and at airports along the I-95 corridor.

And behind the wet weather will be a significant drop in temperatures, with the coldest air of the season.

Most airports experience delays due to weather during holidays

An intrusion of cold air from Canada, starting on Thanksgiving Day and working its way south and east, is guaranteed to precede the frontal boundary.

The air mass will be the coldest of the season, with few areas east of the Rockies remaining unaffected.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, communities in the Northern Plains and near the Canadian border could see temperatures dip below zero, with even cooler wind chills.

The cold air will likely keep Chicago from getting above freezing and could leave New York struggling to reach the 40s as people head to the malls and start their journey home after November 28.

Unlike previous periods of cold air that had minimal staying power, this air mass is expected to keep temperatures cool across most of the eastern U.S. through the first week of December.

Original article source: Thanksgiving winter storm forecast that will bring snow and heavy rain to holiday travel