Thanksgiving Travel Outlook: Windy, Slick Conditions For Both Coasts

As you head out for your Thanksgiving plans, two low pressure systems on both coasts will create a few travel headaches this weekend. A new weather system could also bring some minor impacts to the north-central U.S. by Sunday.

Today

A low pressure system in the Northeast will slowly drift into Nova Scotia, while the another low pressure system advances farther into the Western U.S. Minimal travel impacts are likely for the Northeast, with the main focus of travel impacts shifting to the West.
 
It will be another windy day across the Northeast and Northwest today. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common in most areas, but locally higher wind gusts are possible.
 
Light showers are likely across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley in the morning, with rain slowly tapering off from southwest-to-northeast in the afternoon and evening. A few wet snowflakes could mix in with the rain for the central Appalachians. For far northern portions of the Northeast, light to moderate snow will be likely throughout the day.
 
Northeast travel impacts include:

• Icy, slick roads possible for far northern portions of Interstates 87, 89, 91 and 95.
• Wet spots elsewhere, mainly early in the day.
• No major airport delays expected. Though, breezy winds could create some turbulence.

Frequent rain showers will occur throughout the West Coast into the lower elevations of the interior Northwest and Great Basin. Snow will also be found in the northern Rockies as well as the mountains and higher elevations in the Northwest and Great Basin for the entire day. The heaviest snow will likely fall across the Cascades and Sierra Nevada in the morning, spreading to the northern Rockies in the afternoon and evening.
 
Western U.S. travel Impacts include:

• Icy, snow-packed roads for most of western Montana, including Interstates 5 and 90, along with the higher portions of Interstates 15, 80, 84 and 90 across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California, northern Nevada and northern Utah.
• High winds likely could create blowing and drifting snow on roadways as well as lowered visibility, especially along the coasts. These wind conditions could also make for tough travel in areas that just see rain, as well as sway or even tip over large vehicles and trucks toward the Pacific Northwest's coast.
• Wet roads elsewhere, best chance in the morning and afternoon.
• Minor airport delays possible for Seattle, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

Sunday
The West and Northern Tier will be the places to watch for travel impacts on Sunday. The Northeast will continue to feel lingering effects from the low pressure system drifting into Nova Scotia, while a fast-moving disturbance pushes across the north-central U.S. At the same time, a large surge of Pacific moisture will move into the West thanks to the large storm system overhead.

The interior Northeast could see a few rain and snow showers on Sunday, mainly in the morning and afternoon. Besides some isolated wet spots on roads, no major travel impacts are expected here. However, some gusty winds will continue across New England, which could make it tough to drive in areas and lead to some turbulence if flying.
 
Mainly snow, with some freezing rain and rain in the mix is likely for parts of the High Plains during the morning and afternoon, with light to moderate snow spreading to the far Upper Mississippi Valley in the afternoon and evening. Rain is then possible over the slightly warmer Great Lakes at night.

 
North-central U.S. travel impacts include:

• Icy, snowy roads are possible for northern portions of North Dakota and Minnesota, including some parts of Interstate 94. The best chance would occur after sunset.
• Wet roads possible elsewhere, including Interstates 29, 35, 39 and 90.
• No major airport delays expected.

Occasional rounds of rain and mountain snow are likely throughout the West Coast into the northern and central Rockies on Sunday. The best chance of precipitation will occur along the coast from Washington into the San Francisco Bay area. Some snow could also move into the central High Plains late Sunday night.
 
Western U.S. travel impacts include:

• Icy, snowy roads at times for the higher elevations of Interstates 15, 80, 84 and 90.
• High winds likely could create blowing and drifting snow on roadways as well as lowered visibility. These wind conditions could also make for tough travel in areas that just see rain.
• A few slick and icy spots are possible for parts of Interstate 25, 70, 76 and 80 in Wyoming and Colorado at night.
• Wet roads possible elsewhere, including Interstate 5 from San Francisco to Seattle.
• Minor airport delays possible, including in Seattle, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif., and Salt Lake City.

Monday 
The first day of Thanksgiving week sees continued disturbances across the West Coast while a classic November Great Lakes storm deepens, affecting some travelers hoping for a full week with their relatives. Weaker gusts are expected to affect Americans when compared with the weekend, but they are still worth watching out for amidst slick roadways and airports alike. 

As a burgeoning low pressure system in the Central U.S. deepens in its track toward the Great Lakes, snow showers will spread and thicken across the Upper Lakes while scattered frontal showers drag eastward, mainly into the Ohio River Basin. Snow, ice, and slush from northern Minnesota through Michigan's Upper Peninsula are likely to complicate road travel, with high winds and low clouds potentially causing air traffic trouble in the western Great Lakes states. Strong thunderstorms are likely to form along the cold front in Kentucky and potentially into the Middle Mississippi Basin eastward. 

Great Lakes travel impacts include: 

• Patches of icy and snowy roads are possible for Minnesota through Michigan through the day, with most ice impacts expected in the morning. Interstates affected include Interstates 35, 90, and 75. 
• Wet roads possible elsewhere, with the highest chances in the afternoon onward including Interstates 90, 80, 69, and 65 
• Minor airport delays possible near the Great Lakes, particularly in the afternoon hours for airports in cities such as Milwaukee, Wisc., Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit. 

Although most snow ceases in the eastern Rockies by the morning, those in the higher elevations should expect minor snow on roadways. The former bomb cyclone off the West Coast will remain settled, launching rain and mountain snow showers across the region, through Monday. 

West Coast and Pacific Northwest travel impacts include:  

• Icy and/or snowy roads at times for the higher elevations at Interstates 70, 80, 84, and 90. 
• Wet roads possible elsewhere, mainly along Interstate 5. 
• Although unexpected, minor airport delays are possible in Portland, Ore., and Seattle. 

Tuesday
As Thanksgiving week continues, travel conditions will remain active across the country, especially in areas already affected by unsettled weather. The West Coast, Northern Rockies, and parts of the Midwest are still the most likely to see delays, but most of the country will enjoy favorable travel weather. Let’s break it down:

Western U.S. travel impacts include:

• Slippery, snow-covered roads possible on Interstates 5, 15, 80, 84, and 90. Mountain passes will be particularly hazardous, so allow extra travel time.
• Potential minor delays in major hubs like Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and San Francisco (SFO), mainly due to reduced visibility and windy conditions.

Central U.S. travel impacts include:

• Icy patches are possible on Interstates 29, 35, 90, and 94, particularly early in the day. Wet roads farther south on Interstates 40 and 70 could still cause slick spots.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) could experience minor delays due to snow and gusty winds.

Eastern U.S. travel impacts include:

• Wet but manageable roadways are likely on Interstates 80, 81, 90, and 95. Localized areas of slick travel are possible if temperatures dip overnight.
• Major hubs like New York City (JFK, LGA), Boston (BOS), and Philadelphia (PHL) are unlikely to see major delays, though some minor turbulence may persist.

Southern U.S. travel impacts include: 

• No significant disruptions are expected at major hubs like Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), or Miami (MIA).

Check back frequently to WeatherBug for travel updates for the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!