Thanksgiving 2016 Weather Forecast: Here Are Potential Travel Trouble Spots

Chris Dolce
Published: November 23,2016
Thanksgiving week will feature some potential wet and wintry travel trouble spots from coast to coast. A low-pressure system tracking through the central U.S. could have the most impact on the busy travel day Wednesday, including several large airport hubs, and could be a Thanksgiving Day nuisance in the Northeast.
Several other weather systems may also prove to be a travel headache this weekend in parts of the East, Midwest and West.
Here's a look at travel conditions across the country, as millions take to the air and roads.
(MORE: Interactive Driving Difficulty Map | Mistakes to Avoid This Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving (Thursday) Forecast (Nov. 24)

Thanksgiving Forecast

Possible travel trouble spots:

• East: Wednesday's weather system will weaken greatly as it advances east on Thanksgiving Day. There could be some travel impacts, however, as showers and low clouds move into the Northeast and perhaps sections of the Southeast. The higher elevations of New York and New England could see some additional snowfall. Light icing could make conditions slick early in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania. Farther to the west, a weak disturbance could bring a little rain and snow to the upper Midwest and northern Plains.
• West: Rain, wind and mountain snow are likely again in the Pacific Northwest, from far northern California into Washington and northern Idaho.

(MORE: Your Local Forecast)
Major airports possibly impacted:

• JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, Portland (OR): Rain/low clouds

Major highways impacted (partial list):

• Interstate 5 from northern California to Washington state (rain, wind, some pass-level snow possible)
• Interstate 80 from New Jersey to Ohio (rain showers possible)
• Interstate 90 from Minnesota to South Dakota (light snow possible)
• Interstate 90 in New York (icy conditions possible)
• Interstate 95 from North Carolina to southern Maine (rain showers with a mix of rain and snow possible in New England)

(MORE: More Wintry Weather Headed for Upper Midwest and Interior Northeast Through Thanksgiving Week)

Black Friday Forecast (Nov. 25)

Black Friday Forecast

• East: Some areas of light rain or snow showers will linger in the Great Lakes and Northeast. Most areas will stay above freezing in the lower elevations, so the majority will see rain. Elsewhere, a few showers may also occur in southern and western Texas. 
• West: Rain and mountain snow, with lowering snow levels, will persist from the Pacific Northwest to central California, including the Sierra.

Early Morning Shopping Forecast: 

• Most areas will be quiet, but the West may see coastal rain and higher-elevation snow beginning late Thursday. A few snow showers could fly in the Great Lakes and northern New England.

Major airports possibly impacted:

• JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, San Francisco: Low clouds and rain possible

Major highways impacted (partial list):

• Interstate 5 from northern California to Washington state (rain showers possible)
• Interstate 10 in west Texas (rain showers possible)
• Interstate 80 over the Sierra in California (snow, especially overnight)
• Interstate 90 from Massachusetts to Ohio (mainly rain showers)

Saturday's Forecast (Nov. 26)

Saturday's Forecast

• East: A new weather system may bring another round of rain and higher-elevation snow showers to the Northeast. The Interstate-95 corridor appears to be warm enough for just rain showers.
• West: Rain and mountain snow will fall in the West from Washington and northern Idaho all the way through southern California. Travel in Sierra passes will be affected.

Major airports possibly impacted:

• JFK, Newark, LaGuardia, Philadelphia: Wind and/or low clouds
• San Francisco, Los Angles, Seattle: Rain/low clouds

Major highways impacted (partial list):

• Interstate 95 from Maine to New York (rain showers, snow north possible)
• Interstate 90 from northeastern Ohio to Massachusetts (rain and some snow showers possible)
• Interstate 5 from western Washington to southern California (mainly rain)

Sunday's Forecast (Nov. 27)

Sunday's Forecast

• East: Rain is expected from portions of the Plains into the Mississippi Valley during the day and will slide eastward into the western Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and parts of the South overnight. Some accumulating snow is possible over the northern Plains Sunday night. A few lingering rain and snow showers are possible in northern New England and upstate New York.
• West: Valley rain and higher-elevation snow will impact much of the West at times.

Major airports possibly impacted:

• Dallas-Ft. Worth, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago (late): Low clouds/rain

Major highways impacted (partial list):

• Interstate 35 from Minnesota to north Texas (rain showers)
• Interstate 80 from Wyoming to California (snow)
• Interstate 80 from Illinois to Nebraska (rain showers)
• Interstate 84 from Oregon to Utah (snow)

Keep in mind that this forecast information is all subject to change, and we will provide updates and more details in the days to come.

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