As the holiday season kicks into gear, a powerful storm is shaking things up across the U.S., causing weather drama that could impact millions of Thanksgiving travelers. Starting in California’s Sierra Nevada with heavy snow, this storm is now on a cross-country journey, aiming to disrupt plans from the Colorado Rockies to the Appalachian Mountains and beyond.
The timing couldn’t be trickier. The National Weather Service has warned of potential travel headaches as the storm moves steadily eastward, overlapping with one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
In Denver, a key travel hub, snowfall is expected Wednesday—just a few inches, but enough to slow down highways like I-25, I-70, and I-80. This could mean delayed flights and slippery roads for holiday travelers. From there, the storm will barrel east, threatening rain, snow, and messy weather conditions that could stretch all the way to the Midwest and Northeast.
Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on how the storm will develop. The storm’s exact track and intensity are still being worked out, which will determine who gets hit with snow and who faces rain. Either way, it’s looking like millions of travelers might face delays or tricky conditions.
In case that wasn’t enough, bone-chilling cold is also on the way. By Saturday morning, almost 200 million people could wake up to freezing temperatures, with the chill feeling more like mid-January than late November.
For folks in the East and South, Thanksgiving could be a soggy affair. Rain is expected from late Wednesday into Thursday, hitting areas along and south of the Ohio River and stretching across the Appalachians. Big cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are all likely to get a dose of wet weather, meaning a damp Thanksgiving parade in New York City.
While the turkey may stay dry indoors, the trip home after the holiday could turn messy for some. Snow is expected to ramp up in parts of the Midwest, with heavy bands likely to blanket Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Ohio and New York. Snowfall rates could hit up to 3 inches an hour in certain areas, which might shut down highways and make driving hazardous.
On a brighter note, the return trip for most people could see much better weather conditions—if you can survive the chaos of getting there first.
And speaking of chaos, the sheer number of travelers this Thanksgiving is staggering. AAA estimates nearly 80 million people will hit the road, skies, or sea between Tuesday and Monday, marking an increase over last year. The TSA is also gearing up for its busiest holiday season ever, predicting over 18 million passengers will pass through airport security in just over a week.
Meanwhile, in the Rockies, winter is coming in full force. Some areas could see a jaw-dropping 4 feet of snow as the storm sweeps through. Colorado’s mountain towns are bracing for up to 20 inches of snow at higher elevations, with winter weather advisories already in place.
So, if you’re one of the millions traveling this week, pack your patience—and maybe an extra blanket. It’s shaping up to be a Thanksgiving to remember, and not just because of the turkey.