A Thanksgiving Day storm is set to impact much of the eastern United States, bringing rain, strong winds, and the possibility of snow to various regions, including parts of New York.
Initially, the storm is expected to bring snow to California’s Sierra Nevada, but as it moves eastward, it will likely intensify.
Reports have said, that the storm will gather moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and eventually the Atlantic, causing it to grow stronger.
Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather’s chief on-air meteorologist, explained that the storm could follow two different paths.
In the weaker scenario, the storm would track further east, bringing only intermittent rain with little to no snow over the Appalachians.
A stronger storm, however, would shift further north, resulting in heavier precipitation and a zone of accumulating snow from the central Appalachians to interior New England.
New York City is expected to experience rain and strong winds, which could potentially disrupt the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
While snow is not expected to affect the parade based on current projections, snow showers are likely in areas far north and west of New York City.
The storm’s strong winds could also impact the parade’s iconic balloons, potentially grounding them, something that has only happened once in history, in 1971.
For those attending the parade, temperatures are expected to hover in the 40s (F), so a warm coat and umbrella are recommended.
It is still unclear whether the winds will be strong enough to affect the balloons, but the forecast is something parade organizers will monitor closely in the coming days.
Beyond the parade, the storm’s early winter weather may cause disruptions for holiday travelers.
However, for areas recently affected by wildfires due to drought conditions, the heavy rain could offer some relief.
Travelers are advised to stay updated on weather reports, as the storm’s track and intensity remain uncertain.