As millions of Americans prepare to travel for Thanksgiving celebrations, weather systems across the country threaten to disrupt holiday plans with winter storms, rainfall, and potential travel delays. The Thanksgiving holiday, falling on November 27 this year, typically sees massive movement of people across the United States, but meteorological conditions may create challenging circumstances for those journeying to meet family and loved ones.
Thanksgiving Weather Systems and Their Impact
According to Accuweather meteorologists, a Pacific storm system is expected to bring significant weather disturbances throughout the Thanksgiving travel period. The storm is predicted to develop on November 24 and will likely cause travel disruptions on major highways and at airports across affected regions.
AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno emphasized that Southern California will experience the heaviest rainfall from this weather system. Meanwhile, another storm is expected to bring rain and colder conditions to the Pacific Northwest, creating a dual weather threat for travelers.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated that widespread low elevation rain and high elevation snow showers are expected with each storm system. Both weather patterns will shift over the central United States, affecting multiple regions during the critical travel window.
Regional Weather Forecast and Warnings
The Weather Prediction Centre has provided specific details about how weather systems will move across the country. Low pressure and associated fronts over the Southwest are expected to move eastward to the Central and Southern Plains by Thursday, then northeastward to southeastern Canada by Friday.
Meteorologists have identified several areas of concern for travelers:
- Southern California faces the heaviest rainfall from the Pacific storm
- Southern Utah Mountains, Colorado Mountains, and Sierra Nevada Mountains will experience light snow
- Southern Texas has a slight risk of excessive rainfall on Thursday
- Southern Plains may see rain developing on Wednesday into Thanksgiving Day
The system will produce heavy rain and thunderstorms over parts of the Southwest and rain combined with higher-elevation snow over sections of the Central and Southern Rockies overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
Historical Context and Current Projections
Weather historians note that one of the most impressive Thanksgiving weather events occurred on November 27, 1919, when an intense snowstorm moved from the northwest into eastern Utah and western Colorado. That historic storm produced record 24-hour snowfall totals, including 14 inches in Grand Junction.
For this year's Thanksgiving, the Weather Prediction Centre states that heavy rain and thunderstorms will develop over the Southern Plains on Thursday and spread into the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley. The associated heavy rain may create localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, narrow canyons, and burn scars being particularly vulnerable.
On Thursday, rain will move into the Ohio Valley, expanding into the Central Appalachian region by Thursday evening and reaching the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast overnight Thursday into Friday. However, Fox Weather reports that the West, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and much of the Southeast are expected to experience dry conditions, providing some relief for travelers in those regions.
Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, traditionally involves family gatherings featuring meals with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes. The holiday has historical roots dating back to 1621 when Pilgrims and Native Americans first celebrated together. This year, travelers are advised to monitor weather updates closely and plan accordingly for potential disruptions caused by the forecasted weather systems.
