The storm will begin to advance eastward in earnest on Sunday, Nov. 23.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Millions of Thanksgiving travelers in the Northeast may be in for a bumpy ride as a coast-to-coast storm targets the nation’s busiest travel week.

AccuWeather forecasters say a sprawling storm system sweeping out of Texas will bring downpours and thunderstorms across the central and eastern US, with the worst impacts expected on Tuesday, November 25, and Wednesday, November 26. 

Nearly 82 million people are set to travel at least 50 miles for the holiday, a new record, according to the American Automobile Association.

As the storm rolls into the Mississippi Valley, drenching rain and possibly severe storms will spread through the Midwest and Ohio Valley. If the system tracks farther north, the Northeast could see even heavier rain and stronger winds.

“There is the potential for travel delays related to rain, slick conditions, and poor visibility from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast states from Wednesday to Wednesday night, but that depends on the track, strength, and forward speed of the large storm system,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. 

“The storm will be losing some of its intensity and moisture as it travels from the Central states to the Northeast, but given the travel volume, even a few hours of rain can create significant problems on the roads and runways from Washington, DC, to Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.”

Cold air arriving from Canada could spark a swath of snow from Montana to Colorado, but the main concern for the Northeast will be heavy rain and potential disruptions at busy airports. Thunderstorms may also disrupt flights at Atlanta and Charlotte on Wednesday.

Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, in New York City may start with dry air for parade-goers, but timing is everything. If the storm’s cold front moves faster than expected, wet weather could linger along the Atlantic Seaboard for much of the day.

Rain is expected at times along most of the East Coast on Thanksgiving Day, on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Rain is expected at times along most of the East Coast on Thanksgiving Day, on Thursday, Nov. 27.

AccuWeather

“At this time, we believe strong winds behind the front will hold off in New York City until the afternoon or evening and should be relatively light for the large balloons during Thanksgiving morning,” Pastelok said. “However, if the front is faster, winds may kick up sooner.”

AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno added, “There is a way it could snow along part of the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts on Thanksgiving night. A storm that forms along the front just off the Atlantic coast could capture the fresh cold air at the last minute.”

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.