Severe Weather Causes Travel Woes Ahead of Thanksgiving

Wed Dec 03 2025 04:55:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Travelers face heavy snowfall, rain, and cold temperatures as winter storms impact various parts of the country this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with warnings issued across Northern states.

Severe winter weather is anticipated across much of the United States this Thanksgiving weekend, with snow and rain affecting travel plans from Montana to New York. Key areas including Iowa and Illinois are expected to receive significant snowfall. Blizzard conditions have not yet been reached, but hazardous conditions are still anticipated, especially for drivers in the northeast. As temperatures plummet, flash flooding is also a concern in the southern regions.

As travelers prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, they brace for severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall and rain that could leave significant impacts on travel routes across the northern United States. The National Weather Service has issued warnings extending from Montana to New York, with winter storm advisories in play for several states.

Forecasts indicate that from Friday into Saturday, regions such as Iowa and Illinois are likely to experience the highest snowfall totals, potentially reaching between six inches to a foot. Much of west-central Illinois could see substantial accumulation, making driving conditions particularly treacherous.

While weather conditions have not yet escalated to blizzard warnings—which require sustained wind speeds of 35 mph or more combined with reduced visibility—many areas will still face hazardous driving conditions due to the heavy snow and snow squalls, especially throughout the interior Northeast.

In addition, the ongoing storm has already affected parts of the northern Plains and the Great Lakes, where accumulations of over a foot may occur by the end of the storm. Regions downwind from Lake Superior and in central New York could be heavily blanketed with snow, complicating travel further.

Travelers in the Pacific Northwest and Rockies can also expect a combination of both snow and rain. By Saturday, these conditions should taper off in some areas, but continued precipitation is forecasted for the Midwest.

To the south, storms are anticipated, with some areas at risk for flash flooding as inclement weather makes its way across the western Gulf Coast. As temperatures remain well below average across the central and eastern United States, the travel outlook for the holiday weekend suggests challenges, particularly for those heading out for their Thanksgiving gatherings.