Major Arctic Weather Blast Hits Eastern US Just Before Thanksgiving Travel Surge

The National Weather Service warns of a significant Arctic outbreak impacting travel days leading up to Thanksgiving, with heavy snow and dangerously low temperatures expected across many regions of the eastern US.

With Thanksgiving approaching, millions of Americans are preparing for what is historically one of the busiest travel times of the year. However, the journey may be complicated by a significant Arctic outbreak predicted to sweep across much of the eastern United States. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), cold temperatures and adverse weather conditions will be particularly acute in the northern Plains, where staggering lows of -30F to -40F (-34C to -40C) are anticipated.

Those traveling to the Colorado Rockies should brace for heavy snowfall on Wednesday, with forecasts indicating that areas could receive over 10 inches (25 cm) of snow. As this weather system progresses, it is expected to intensify, impacting travelers throughout Thanksgiving Day. Severe thunderstorms and lake-effect snow could accompany this storm as it advances into the Midwest, particularly affecting the Great Lakes region.

Travel complications are likely, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports record passenger volumes leading up to the holiday. Nearly nine million people are expected to pass through airports over peak days—Tuesday, Wednesday, and the following Sunday—while AAA estimates that an unprecedented 72 million Americans may embark on road trips of at least 50 miles (80 km) this week, attributing this surge to lower petrol prices than last year.

While airports have seen minimal disruptions thus far, that could change as the adverse weather conditions unfold. Major highways, such as I-90 between Cleveland and Buffalo and I-81 north of Syracuse, are particularly vulnerable to travel difficulties due to expected accumulations of snowfall.

Even as the eastern states prepare for winter weather, the west coast contends with its own challenges. California has recently experienced a winter storm, characterized by heavy snowfall in high elevations and powerful winds. Furthermore, an atmospheric river event impacted central California, creating additional weather concerns. Communities in the Pacific northwest continue to recover from last week's bomb cyclone, which had led to severe flooding and power outages, with further storms in the forecast.

As millions hit the roads and airports this Thanksgiving, the impending weather may exacerbate travel woes, prompting caution for those venturing out.