- Rain and higher-elevation snow is likely this weekend in the West and Northeast, while most others stay dry.
- Gusty winds might cause some airport delays in the Northeast this weekend.
- Next week’s forecast is still uncertain, but pre-holiday travel might feature some unsettled weather in parts of the West and East.
AAA estimates nearly 80 million will travel for Thanksgiving this year and for some, weather could interrupt some of those plans.
Here’s a look at the forecast for those hitting the roads and taking to the skies this weekend followed by a glimpse at the forecast for pre-Thanksgiving travel next week.
(MORE: Guide To Surviving Thanksgiving Travel)
This Weekend
Much of the country will be dry, but the West Coast and the Northeast could have some rainy, snowy and windy trouble spots.
Rain showers are possible from California to the Pacific Northwest, with rain and mountain snow extending eastward into the Rockies.
In the Northeast, a lingering low-pressure system will produce scattered areas of rain and high-elevation snowflakes, mainly across interior areas and New England on Saturday. That low will also instigate gusty winds in the region, which might result in some airport delays.
Possible airport hub delays: San Francisco, mainly Sunday (rain, low clouds); Northeast megalopolis airports, especially Saturday (gusty winds)
Pre-Thanksgiving Travel
Monday and Tuesday: A cold front and jet stream disturbance will produce some rainfall and gusty winds in parts of the Great Lakes, South and East. Snowfall with that system will likely be limited to the Canadian border region.
The West will see pockets of rain and mountain snow as jet stream disturbances affect the region.
Wednesday: For the big travel day, the central states and Rockies appear to have the most active weather at this time.
Snow could impact travel in Colorado, including the Denver metro area. Meanwhile, a developing wave of low pressure could bring rain to parts of the mid and lower-Mississippi valleys. There might be a sliver of snowfall on the northern fringe of that rainfall.
At this time, it appears much of the East Coast and West Coast will stay dry and avoid any major travel hassles.
Thanksgiving Day And Beyond
It’s a bit too early to pinpoint exactly what areas might face rain and/or snow travel hassles. In general, parts of the central and eastern states might have some active weather to contend with.
One thing that is more certain is that blast of cold air will sweep through the central and eastern states as we end November and begin December.
Check back to weather.com and The Weather Channel app for updates.