By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist
November 25,2014; 8:13PM,EST
A storm with rain and heavy snow will cause major disruptions and delays for Thanksgiving travel on the East Coast and in the Appalachians.
According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "In most cases, the worst time to travel in the mid-Atlantic and New England due to the storm will be on Wednesday and Wednesday night."
"The best time to travel will be through Tuesday night in these same areas, with the next best time on Thanksgiving Day."
Rain will initially spread northward along the Interstate-95 with snow and rain to start farther west in the I-81 corridor. However, a change to snow will take place from west to east from northern Virginia to New England.
The storm will bring mostly snow to the I-81 swath in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, I-84 in southeastern New York state, as well as much of interior New England, where a general 6-12 inches of snow are forecast.
In anticipation of delays or cancellations, several airlines, including US Airways, American and Delta, have announced they will waive change fees for passengers scheduled to fly into airports in the line of the storm.
Some places across the Hudson Valley and New England could even have snow totals exceeding a foot.
"The storm should rapidly strengthen off the coast of New England on Wednesday night, leading to strong and gusty winds, especially near the coast," stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Ben Noll as he discussed the impacts in this storm scenario.
Problems due to blowing and drifting snow will be the greatest in northern and western New England.
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Enough rain, low clouds and fog will occur to lead to airline and highway delays ahead of the snow.
Rain will change to snow in the I-95 cities from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston during the latter part of the storm. Farther north along I-95, such as in Portland, Maine, this will be primarily a snowstorm.
While the heaviest snow will fall well north and west of the I-95 cities from Washington, D.C. to Boston, enough snow and sleet can fall to make roads in the cities and suburbs slushy and slippery.
Best Bets for Avoiding Weather-Related Travel Delays
The best bet for ground and air travel in the mid-Atlantic and New England will be through Tuesday night. Travel by ground may be satisfactory in northern New England Wednesday morning. However, for those traveling long distance by vehicle will run the risk of getting caught in the snowstorm Wednesday afternoon and evening.Even though weather conditions will improve in the South later Wednesday and Wednesday night, possible flight delays may continue as some aircraft originating from the Northeast may be stuck in the snowstorm. These same issues can impact some flights throughout the nation.
Travel conditions will improve on Thanksgiving Day in the Northeast. However, some roads may still be snow-covered early in the day. Be on the lookout for icy spotty Thanksgiving night as areas that were previously wet and slushy can become icy.
Travelers in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast planning to head to their Thanksgiving destinations should continue to check back with AccuWeather.com for the latest on this storm and consider travel alternatives.
Timeline of the Worst Weather Conditions for Travel
Florida The worst conditions for travel due to rain and thunderstorms will be through Tuesday night. Travel will improve from north to south on Wednesday.Atlanta to Charlotte, North Carolina The worst travel conditions due to rain will be Tuesday night into early Wednesday. However, the heaviest rain will slide east of these areas. Travel conditions will improve Wednesday afternoon and night.
Savannah, Georgia, to Norfolk, Virginia The worst travel conditions due to rain will be Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Travel conditions will improve from south to north during the balance of Wednesday.
Raleigh, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia The worst conditions due to rain will be Tuesday night into Wednesday midday. Travel conditions will improve from south to north Wednesday afternoon.
Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Rain, or a mix of wet snow and rain will slow travel Wednesday morning, but the worst conditions will be during the late afternoon and evening as the wintry mix changes to snow. Some roads will become slushy.
Philadelphia Rain, or a mix of wet snow and rain will slow travel Wednesday morning and midday, but the worst conditions will be from the middle of the afternoon into the evening as the wintry mix changes to snow. Some roads will become slippery.
New York City Rain, or a mix of wet snow and rain will slow travel into Wednesday afternoon, but the worst conditions will be toward evening into Wednesday night as snow falls. Some roads will become slippery.
Boston Rain, or a mix of wet snow and rain will slow travel during the early part of the day Wednesday, but the worst conditions will begin Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night as snow falls. Roads will become slippery.
Portland, Maine A mix of rain, sleet and snow to start at midday on Wednesday will change to all snow and continue through Wednesday night. The worst conditions will be from late Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night. Roads will become snow-covered and slippery.
Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Hagerstown, Maryland Any wintry mix to start on Wednesday will change to all snow and become heavy at times. Travel will be difficult throughout the day Wednesday. Roads will become snow-covered and slippery.
Harrisburg and Scranton, Pennsylvania Rain will change to snow Wednesday morning. The worst conditions will be during the day Wednesday into Wednesday evening. Roads will become snow-covered and slippery.
Binghamton and Albany, New York Snow will arrive Wednesday morning. The worst conditions will be Wednesday afternoon and night. Roads will be snow-covered and slippery.
Worcester, Massachusetts to Concord, New Hampshire, and Bangor Maine Snow will spread northward during Wednesday. The worst conditions will be Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night. Roads will be snow-covered and slippery with blowing and drifting snow.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed content to this story.
On Social Media
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😣RT breakingweather: Major disruptions await holiday travelers tomorrow as a snowstorm will slam the East. Details:ow.ly/ETIX7D
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Among #AP10Things: Brown family slams prosector's handling of case; Rain, snow could mess up Thanksgiving travel apne.ws/1rfs03Q
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Stay safe out there! Snowstorm to Create Thanksgiving Travel Nightmare in East accuweather.com/en/weather-new…
9h- William Smith · Top Commenter · Inventory at Rem BarI don't know about this, not a lot of places are reporting this.Some are saying just plain rain here in NYC area for Wednesday, while others say a brief rain or snow shower and some don't have any precip. for Wednesday at all.
Muhammed Baterdouk · Thomas Edison State CollegeI have a dream that forecasters would stop using the words 'threat' and 'nightmare.' weather is weather and its winter time. Just tell us what you think without the sensation. Thank you for keeping us forewarned.
Brian LeHuray · Top Commenter · Technical Publications Manager at DHS Systems LLC
Grant McGuire · Top Commenter · Western Connecticut State University
Devin Plourde · Top CommenterThe GFS now agrees with the EURO in showing a big storm... The progressive pattern argues against a big storm, so I have serious doubts, but the possibility can't be ignored. If it does come to fruition and it tracks close enough, there could be significant snow for parts of the northeast.
Chris Giangeruso · Top Commenter- Devin Plourde · Top Commenter
Lawrence P. Bansbach · Top Commenter
Happyjohn Trabakino · Follow · Southern New Hampshire UniversityHow many people remember the snowstorm of November 25, 1971?
Heavy snowfall for the Albany ny region with more than 20 inches of snow on thanksgiving day. More fell over western new England and points north while a heavy rain fell over the nyc area I believe.
Joanne Cone · Top Commenter
Pat Curley · Top Commenter · Providence CollegeWhere I was I missed the snow, but I remember it well, even though it was 43 years ago. I had just moved to Flld Cty Conn and had gone back to my family in R.I for Thanksgiving. I traveled via I 95, the coast, and got nothing but rain. But just inland there were some very heavy snow totals. Places as close as Foster R.I had 9 inches, while the area along Narragansett Bay got all rain. An individual I worked with who lived in Trumbull Conn said he had relatives from eastern Mass for Thanksgiving. One group took I 95 and had no problem as it was all rain. Another group took the Mass Pike and I 84 through Hartford and were greatly delayed. Yes, NYC proper got all rain. I lived in Shelton Conn in 1989 and we received 6 inches there on Thanksgiving, enough that I was out shoveling.
Deshaun Divinityz Peterson · Top Commenter · BMCCI am not going to forecast anything on here, but what I will say is that the East Coast is under the risk of a major coastal storm for the 26/27th. Remember if this storm does indeed comes close to the coast, It does not mean it is going to be a blizzard or snow storm, due to the fact that there is not alot of cold air trying to force the storm out to sea and a Greenland Block forcing the storm back to the coast, it might very well be a rain/snow mix for coastal areas and your much higher accumulations will be in the interior sections of the Northeast. I've seen time and time again, storms come close to coast and everyone think it will be a blizzard but ends up putting down 3 to 5 inches of snow because of rain/snow mix, I see how the storm can become a monster, getting energy from the warm waters and strengthening rapidly and being on the perfect track, and the perfect track still includes Long Island getting a brief period of rain, That is how you are going to get a major all snow event for the Northeast and high accumulations ranging from 8 to 12+ inches of snow, There is going to be a storm come the 26th and 27th, but where and how strong will it be is the million dollar question!- Devin Plourde · Top CommenterInland areas have the most leeway with this storm... But depending on the track and other specifics, the coast could also do quite well. I definitely expect over a foot for whoever gets into the best banding, but it's too far out to have any idea of where exactly that might be.
- Pat Curley · Top Commenter · Providence CollegeAnother factor is the water temperature. It is still well into the '50's. In February it reaches its coldest average for the season, the upper 30's. This explains why the coast gets its greatest snowstorms in February. The same storm on the same track, with the same surrounding weater systems, will produce mostly rain in Nov and Dec, and snow in Feb. Also, Feb has colder temperatures aloft that Dec or even early Jan.
- Deshaun Divinityz Peterson · Top Commenter · BMCC1 to 3 inches for coastal cities, I knew a rain/snow mix was going to happen, I studied this same pattern from last year, same thing happen last year with a few storms, This winter will be just as snowy as last winter because the pattern from last winter still lingers today. That means coastal cities will have to wait until some arctic cold moves in and settles and once that happens,. there will be a lot of snow for future storms. Winter 2014/15 will be another one to remember, just as 2013/14
Brian Kerns · Sales at Gayle Kline RVAccording to my grandaughter we will get lots of the white stuff.
Ps she is pretty smart.
Chris Radvanyi · Project Manager/Design Engineer at Intermetro IndustriesOhhhh you forgot: snowmaggedon, frankensnow, snowicane, snownado ( not be confused with sharknado), snowpocalips, snow-nami (that's a tidal wave of snow), winters wrath, winter one-two punch. Did I miss any please add your favorites.
Aaron Ginther · Top Commenter · Lynchburg, VirginiaNew data continues to show this really isn't Virginia's storm. Earlier on, it was looking as if significant snow was likely for central VA but the models are trending away from the idea. If we get anything at all it won't be anymore than an inch or 2. If the timing were better and more cold air was available, the I-95 corridor from Richmond to DC would be in the heavy snow swath. It's still only November, our time hasn't came yet but it will sooner or later.
Brian Beiler · Top Commenter · York, Pennsylvania
Kathy Murphy Kadlac · Chattanooga, TennesseeBe safe all who are travelling this Thanksgiving holiday. We will travel from Chattanooga TN to Virginia Beach. Prayers for all on the road
Ashley CarterDevin, get a life! WOW
- Devin Plourde · Top Commenter
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