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Thanksgiving Weather Travel Forecast | Weather.com
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USA National Forecast

Thanksgiving Weather Travel Forecast: Rain, Snow And Much Colder Air

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At a Glance

  • Some minor weather-related travel issues could flare up for some through Wednesday.
  • A Thanksgiving system could be a travel nuisance in the East.
  • By Friday, heavy lake-effect snow and much colder air is in store.

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F​or Thanksgiving holiday travel this year, we don't see any major storms on the horizon. But that doesn't mean areas of rain, snow or wind may not lead to headaches at the airport or on the road.

B​elow we have a look at both current conditions and the day-by-day forecast through Sunday, along with some areas that could see delays or travel issues.

(​MORE: Guide To Surviving Thanksgiving Travel)

C​urrent Weather

T​he map below shows where areas of rain or snow are currently located.

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Before Thanksgiving

Wednesday

  • Possible travel issues: Snow will continue in the mountains of Colorado, with some snow also in the adjacent Front Range. Some light rain and perhaps a few thunderstorms will develop in the mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and Mid-South region. This activity will spread into the East Wednesday night. Some light snow could develop at night in the southern Great Lakes and interior Northeast.
  • P​ossible airport weather delays: Denver (light snow); Chicago (low clouds, drizzle)
  • Good weather: Most of the Plains from the Dakotas to Texas and the West Coast

(​MORE: America's Most Weather Delayed Airports)

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T​hanksgiving Day

  • Possible travel issues: Some accumulating snow is expected mainly in the higher elevations from West Virginia to Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England. Some lake-effect snow is likely to develop in the Michigan snowbelts. Otherwise, some showers and a few thunderstorms are possible in the Southeast, mainly early.
  • P​ossible airport weather delays: New York City (low clouds, rain, wind mainly AM); Atlanta (AM low clouds, rain)
  • Good weather: Most of the Plains and West will be dry, though stiff cold winds will blow through the Northern Plains and upper Midwest.
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(Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

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After Thanksgiving

Friday

  • Possible travel issues: Lake-effect snowbands could be heavy and winds could be strong in parts of the Great Lakes snowbelts from Upper Michigan to western and upstate New York. These could produce major travel problems along small stretches of Interstate 90 from northeast Ohio east of Cleveland to southwest New York and Interstate 81 north of Syracuse, New York. Brisk, cold winds are also expected in the rest of the Midwest. Otherwise, just a few showers, perhaps with a rumble of thunder, are possible in the Florida Peninsula ahead of a cold front.
  • P​ossible airport weather delays: None are expected at major hubs.
  • Good weather: Much of the rest of the country should be precipitation free.

(​MAPS: 10-Day U.S. Forecast Highs And Lows)

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Saturday

  • Possible travel issues: Heavy lake-effect snowbands are likely to continue in parts of the Great Lakes snowbelts from Upper Michigan to upstate New York. Once again, there could be significant travel problems within these bands of snow. An area of light to moderate snow is possible in parts of the Central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley that could lead to some slippery travel.
  • P​ossible airport weather delays: Kansas City, St. Louis (if light snow develops)
  • Good weather: Much of the rest of the country should be precipitation free.

(​MORE: Winter Outlook Travel Tips From A Meteorologist)

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Sunday

  • Possible travel issues: Heavy lake-effect snowbands will likely continue in parts of the Great Lakes snowbelts from Upper Michigan to upstate New York. Given the previous several days of lake snow, there could be locally major travel problems in these areas.
  • P​ossible airport weather delays: None are expected at major hubs.
  • Good weather: Much of the rest of the country should be precipitation free.
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Check back to weather.com and The Weather Channel app for updates.

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