Airports and highways are anticipated to experience significant congestion during the week of Thanksgiving, a period that is likely to conclude with another record for air travel within the United States.
According to AAA, around 80 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes between the upcoming Tuesday and the following Monday, primarily opting for road trips.
Nevertheless, travelers may encounter disruptions due to persistent weather issues, and airline passengers might experience delays stemming from staffing shortages and potential strikes by airport service workers.
In the latest weather-related news, the West Coast is expecting additional rain following the devastating “bomb cyclone” that struck last Tuesday. Two fatalities were reported in the Pacific Northwest as the storm unleashed powerful winds that snapped trees and downed power lines, resulting in significant property damage.
Hundreds of thousands in Washington state faced power outages as the storm moved southward into Northern California, bringing with it powerful gusts and unprecedented rainfall.
Meteorologists warn that while the latest weather system is not predicted to be as severe as last week’s atmospheric river, which is an extended band of moisture carried across the ocean, there are still risks of flooding and mudslides as rain returns to the region beginning Sunday.
“Though these threats are smaller in scale and not as serious, they will persist across the West Coast for the next couple of days,” stated Rich Otto, a forecaster with the weather service.
As the rain progresses eastward throughout the week, Otto highlighted that heavy snowfall could occur in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as well as in certain areas of Utah and Colorado.
Mammoth Mountain in California, having already received 2 feet of fresh snow from the prior storm, may accumulate an additional 4 feet before the new weather system clears out on Wednesday, according to ski resort reports.
Looking ahead to Thanksgiving week, forecasts indicate that another wave of winter weather could disrupt travel across the United States while recovery from storm damage and outages remains a priority in California and Washington state.
In California, where two individuals tragically drowned in floodwaters on Saturday, officials are preparing for more rain while dealing with the aftermath of previous flooding and small landslides.
The following are some regional weather outlooks:
1. **Sierra Nevada:** A winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service through Tuesday, predicting heavy snow at higher elevations, with wind gusts possibly reaching 55 mph. A total accumulation of approximately 4 feet of snow is expected, particularly heavy on Monday and Tuesday.
2. **Midwest and Great Lakes:** These areas will likely experience a mix of rain and snow on Monday, while the East Coast is expected to feel the heaviest effects during Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to meteorologists.
3. **East Coast:** A low-pressure system is forecasted to bring rain to the Southeast on Thursday morning before advancing toward the Northeast. Regions from Boston to New York might face rainy and windy conditions, with the potential for snow in northern New Hampshire, northern Maine, and the Adirondacks. Should the system shift further inland, there may be less snow and more rainfall anticipated in the mountainous areas, forecasters explained.
The Thanksgiving week weather forecasts highlight the complexity of travel plans as families prepare for the holiday season amidst changing conditions.