Millions of Americans traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday are bracing for severe weather conditions, as an Arctic blast is set to bring dangerously low temperatures, snow, and severe thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), an “Arctic outbreak” will impact several regions across the country, including the Northern Rockies, the Northern Plains, and the Midwest, with significant disruptions expected over the weekend.
The weather system is expected to first hit the Northern Rockies on Thursday, covering areas like Idaho, Montana, and Washington state.
As the storm moves eastward, it will bring heavy rain, lake-effect snow, and severe thunderstorms to the southeastern US.
Additionally, strong winds and snow are expected to impact the eastern US, including parts of New York, where they may disrupt the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Forecasters are particularly concerned about freezing temperatures in the south.
Severe weather disrupts Thanksgiving travel, including rain, snow, and freezing temperatures nationwide.The cold front will bring frigid overnight lows to areas along the Gulf Coast and parts of northern Florida, posing a threat to sensitive crops like citrus.
However, while temperatures will be unusually cold, record-breaking lows are not anticipated.
The Thanksgiving holiday marks one of the busiest travel periods in the US, with approximately 80 million people expected to travel over 50 miles to celebrate.
The combination of rain, snow, and icy conditions is expected to cause significant delays on highways, particularly along major interstates.
Weather-related flight disruptions could also affect air travel, although, as of Tuesday, only 10 US flights had been canceled.
As millions of people take to the roads and skies, travelers should prepare for the coldest weather of the season, with potential impacts on holiday celebrations and travel plans.
Despite the challenges, experts are urging people to stay informed and make necessary adjustments to their travel itineraries.