This year, Thanksgiving travel is shaping up to break records, but not without some serious weather hurdles. A mix of rain, snow, and thunderstorms threatens to complicate plans for millions of Americans hitting the roads and skies during the holiday week. With AAA predicting nearly 80 million travelers between November 26 and December 2, the timing couldn’t be worse for Mother Nature to stage a little drama.
The Pacific Northwest and Northern California are bracing for what meteorologists are calling a “long-duration atmospheric river,” expected to unleash up to 5 inches of rain and several inches of snow. Oregon and California travelers are preparing for slick roads and icy conditions starting as early as Monday. Meanwhile, states like Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming are facing snowfall that could disrupt key travel routes in the Mountain West.
In the central and southern Plains, rain and thunderstorms are the forecast du jour, with flood watches issued for areas stretching from northwest Texas through central Oklahoma. Heavy rains are likely to make highways hazardous, potentially causing delays or cancellations for travelers passing through these regions. As if that weren’t enough, later in the week, an upper-level low-pressure system threatens to bring additional wet weather to the Great Lakes and Northeast, potentially impacting major urban hubs and airports.
AAA has reported that nearly 80 million people are planning to travel this Thanksgiving, setting a record and exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Of these, over 71 million are expected to hit the roads, while 5.8 million travelers are planning to fly domestically. With this many people on the move, the impending weather chaos could turn an already busy travel period into a logistical headache for many.
Whether navigating rain-slicked highways or braving airport delays, this year’s Thanksgiving travel season underscores the challenges of coordinating millions of journeys amidst unpredictable weather. While Americans are determined to reconnect with loved ones, the forecast serves as a reminder to pack a little patience—and maybe a pair of snow boots—alongside that pumpkin pie.
