Because of the cultural rituals associated with the holiday, Thanksgiving has long been the busiest time of year for travel.
In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts that 30 million people will pass through the country’s airports during the period from November 17 to 28, while the largest number of flights (49,606) is scheduled for Wednesday. before the holiday. While this figure includes both those who drive and those who fly, AAA data predicts that more than 55 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during Thanksgiving.
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All of these trips will take place as a storm warning descends in several parts of the country. According a report According to the National Weather Service, a storm began descending on parts of California, Oregon and southern Washington over the weekend and could bring heavy rain and winds that could last all week.
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These areas could experience serious flight delays in the coming days.
Heavy storms are also expected in parts of Oklahoma and Texas early in the week, while other Midwestern states like Illinois and Ohio are being warned of heavy downpours that are expected to clear up by Thanksgiving but could cause disruption. to those who travel at the beginning of the week.
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“Airline passengers and motorists in Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland and perhaps even Pittsburgh can expect torrential rain to begin sometime Monday night, with many expected to get completely drenched Tuesday,” he wrote in a report. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
On the East Coast, another storm is expected to bring heavy rain and possibly some snow to parts of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston on Monday and Tuesday. This will affect those driving through the area as heavy rain and winds of up to 30 miles per hour will affect visibility.
“As cold air reaches the back of a storm over the Atlantic, a period of snow may cause a small accumulation in some of the highest elevations from northern New York to northern New England later Saturday and Saturday night,” Sosnowski said. . “However, travel issues due to the outbreak of winter weather and brief snow showers that may occur Sunday from southern Ontario to southern New York and northern New England will be brief and localized.”
‘Everything you wouldn’t want to see when you head out on your holiday trips’
The good news is that many of these weather events are expected to disappear by Thanksgiving.
But those traveling through affected areas in the days leading up to the holiday are encouraged to monitor the situation and not try to “take a chance” if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Governor Kathy Hochul has already warned residents of western and upstate New York to avoid all travel during the snowstorm.
“Either you will be stuck at home unable to travel, or in the worst case scenario, you could be stuck on one of the highways or the New York State Thruway,” Hochul’s office said. saying in a press release before the holidays. “I just want to remind everyone to stay tuned. “We’re expecting freezing rain, snow drifts, strong winds – everything you wouldn’t want to see when you head out on your holiday trips.”
