Parts of the U.S. are bracing for a harsh Arctic weather system coinciding with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, affecting millions of Thanksgiving holiday travelers.
Arctic Weather Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel Across the U.S.
Arctic Weather Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel Across the U.S.
Severe cold blasts and stormy weather impact holiday travelers, leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of a "significant Arctic outbreak" that is expected to sweep through the northern Plains on Thursday, coinciding with the busy Thanksgiving travel period. As people rush to reunite with family and friends, "dangerously cold wind chills" are forecasted for the area. In the northeast, states like Maine, New York, and parts of New England are bracing for heavy snowfall, while thunderstorms are anticipated across the East Coast, particularly in Georgia and the Carolinas.
The situation is aggravated by a dramatic rise in travel, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported record passenger volumes during this Thanksgiving week—with nearly nine million people expected to pass through airports on the busiest travel days, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tracking site FlightAware reported over 4,500 flight delays and around 61 cancellations just ahead of the holiday.
The severe weather is expected to spread further into the Midwest on Friday, bringing conditions conducive to lake-effect snow, which can produce significant snowfall as cold air moves over warmer Great Lakes waters. Some areas could see up to 8 inches of snow.
In contrast, travelers in California and the Pacific Northwest are facing fog warnings and freezing conditions, compounded by the recent atmospheric river event that recently hit parts of central California, resulting in heavy rainfall and flooding.
As celebratory events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade approach, communities across the nation are navigating the challenges posed by intense winter weather, with many still recovering from earlier storms. The combination of cold temperatures, precipitation, and a surge in travel volume underscores the complexities holiday travelers face this season.
The situation is aggravated by a dramatic rise in travel, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported record passenger volumes during this Thanksgiving week—with nearly nine million people expected to pass through airports on the busiest travel days, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tracking site FlightAware reported over 4,500 flight delays and around 61 cancellations just ahead of the holiday.
The severe weather is expected to spread further into the Midwest on Friday, bringing conditions conducive to lake-effect snow, which can produce significant snowfall as cold air moves over warmer Great Lakes waters. Some areas could see up to 8 inches of snow.
In contrast, travelers in California and the Pacific Northwest are facing fog warnings and freezing conditions, compounded by the recent atmospheric river event that recently hit parts of central California, resulting in heavy rainfall and flooding.
As celebratory events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade approach, communities across the nation are navigating the challenges posed by intense winter weather, with many still recovering from earlier storms. The combination of cold temperatures, precipitation, and a surge in travel volume underscores the complexities holiday travelers face this season.
