Wet, Snowy Weather Predicted Ahead of Thanksgiving — What to Know If You’re Traveling

The predicted weather comes as millions of Americans prepare to travel for the holiday.

By Alison Fox Alison Fox

Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on November 18, 2024

Close An airplane loading passengers while sitting on a snowy tarmac . Photo:

Boris SV/Getty Images

Americans are set to experience a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period this year, but some wet and snowy weather in the forecast may put a damper on those plans.

Widespread weather patterns from the Pacific Northwest all the way down to Texas put travel in peril ahead of the busy Thanksgiving week. All that comes as AAA predicted nearly 80 million travelers were expected to leave home between Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Dec. 2.

In Oregon and Northern California, travelers were expected to have to deal with 5 inches of rain and at least 3 inches of snow thanks to a “long duration atmospheric river,” which was forecast to start as early as Monday, according to NBC News. There was also a chance of snow across parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Travelers in the central and southern Plains were dealing with a forecast of rain and thunderstorms, while those from northwest Texas through central Oklahoma were under threat of flood watches.  

Later this week, NBC said an upper-level low pressure system could develop above the Great Lakes and the Northeast.

The wet forecast comes as 79.9 million travelers are expected to hit the roads and take to the skies for Thanksgiving, setting a new record and exceeding pre-pandemic numbers, according to AAA. Of those, 71.7 million are expected to travel by car and more than 5.8 million are expected to fly domestically.

To prepare for potentially less-than-ideal weather (and make it a less stressful holiday), drivers should make sure their cars are in tip-top shape, pack the car with winter essentials for emergencies, and consider installing skid chains or snow tires.

When flying, travelers should check airline flight advisories — though major carriers have not yet issued any for Thanksgiving week — anticipate potential delays by taking advantage of airline apps and flight trackers like FlightAware, know their rights if something does go wrong, and consider travel insurance so they’re not left out in the cold.