The FOX Forecast Center is tracking powerful storm systems that are disrupting travel across America as we countdown to Thanksgiving.
Millions of Americans across the U.S. have started to pack the roads and airports ahead of Thanksgiving, but a powerful storm moving from coast to coast could snarl travel before the holiday and as people begin their journeys home after celebrating with family and friends.
The first half of the busy Thanksgiving travel week includes storms dumping rain and mountain snow in the West, while the eastern half of the country deals with rain, freezing rain and snow.
If that wasn’t enough to dampen the holiday spirit, the FOX Forecast Center is tracking another winter storm that could significantly impact travel in the Northeast as millions of people prepare to head home.
Let’s break it all down for you.
Winter weather wallops West
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said that the last of a series of low-pressure systems is moving across the West Coast and into the Rockies, bringing winter weather and rain to the region.
This is the same system that brought heavy rain to California on Monday. As it continues on its journey to the west, it’s expected to develop into a significant winter storm across portions of Colorado and Utah.
(FOX Weather)
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect across the region in anticipation of snow totals that could reach up to three feet in the highest elevations.
That’s expected to make travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, across mountain passes as Thanksgiving approaches.
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By Wednesday, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Denver could all see some form of precipitation.
However, the FOX Forecast Center doesn’t expect any major impacts in Denver at this time. Conditions could deteriorate on major highways like Interstate 25 before the system moves out of the region before Thanksgiving Day.
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Rain, snow roll through the East
(FOX Weather)
Millions of people across the eastern half of the U.S. are also getting in on the action and should pack patience as pre-Thanksgiving travel delays are expected Tuesday.
The FOX Forecast Center said a cold front extending from the Southeast to northern New England in the Northeast is producing rain, snow, freezing rain, and even some rumbles of thunder in some spots.
Major airports in the East are likely to see some disruptions due to the large number of people traveling, inclement weather, and low ceilings. Low visibility and gusty winds will be a concern as the system slides off the East Coast.
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Farther north, where temperatures have been colder, freezing rain threatened to make travel hazardous in New England for those venturing out in parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The good news is that temperatures will rebound as the day continues and ice will begin to melt.
Severe weather is unlikely in the Southeast, but rain and possible thunderstorms could lead to delays at the world’s busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Most of the rain and thunderstorms will die down by Tuesday night.
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Thanksgiving winter storm
(FOX Weather)
As if pre-Thanksgiving travel troubles weren’t enough, the FOX Forecast Center is also tracking another winter storm on Thanksgiving Day that is expected to delay last-minute holiday travel, as well as for those shopping on Black Friday or starting their journeys back home.
This is all due to the winter storm that’s currently blasting the West. By Thursday, the system will be moving through the Midwest and Ohio River Valley and into the Northeast.
The FOX Forecast Center expects a line of rain and thunderstorms to slide through the Southeast and Tennessee River Valley on Thursday. Some of those storms could turn severe with damaging wind gusts.
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For those of you who are driving on Thanksgiving, slowdowns on the roads and at airports are expected.
To the north, heavier rain is likely across portions of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast into Thursday night. The FOX Forecast Center said the system will strengthen as it approaches the region, and winds could also begin to kick up and cause delays at airports in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Snow will break out from the Midwest to New England to the north of the low-pressure system. Cold air will initially be limited as the system exits the Midwest, but as the low strengthens, it will pull in colder air from Canada.
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(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said snow totals are expected to be light except for portions of the interior Northeast. That’s where heavier snow could coat areas across the region.
Upstate New York, the Green Mountains in Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire will all likely see snow as the low tracks offshore into Thursday night.
Cities in New York, such as Burlington, Syracuse, Buffalo and Binghamton, will all likely get in on some snow action, too.