Millions of Americans embarking on their Thanksgiving getaways are being met with a brutal mix of severe weather, causing widespread travel disruption on what is predicted to be the busiest travel period in nearly 15 years.
National Travel Snarls
Wednesday, the peak travel day of the Thanksgiving week, has seen an estimated 82 million people journeying across the United States. The vast majority, around 73 million, are travelling by road, while approximately six million have taken to the skies, according to data from the AAA.
The Federal Aviation Administration had already warned that this holiday period would be exceptionally busy, a forecast echoed by the AAA, which noted that the number of road travellers could end up being higher if air passengers opt to drive following recent flight cancellations.
By Wednesday, the impact was already being felt, with over 1,000 flights delayed or canceled nationwide due to sprawling weather systems.
Regional Weather Breakdown
The Midwest and Great Lakes
This region is bearing the brunt of the severe conditions. A significant winter storm is dumping up to nine inches of snow in Minnesota, with officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport urging travellers to arrive early due to crowds and weather.
In Lower Michigan, lake-effect snow is expected to deliver a foot or more of accumulation, accompanied by wind gusts up to 45 mph, creating dangerous travel conditions. Winter storm watches are in effect.
The situation is similarly treacherous in North Dakota, where up to six inches of snow could fall, and in Chicago, where strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph are whipping up snow, causing poor visibility. Over 140 flights were delayed at O'Hare airport by early afternoon.
Power outages have also been a major issue, with nearly 90,000 customers left without electricity, primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan.
The East and South
A cold front is bringing rain and gusty winds to the Northeast, threatening delays at major airport hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and New York City.
In a particular concern for New York, forecasters from AccuWeather warned that winds in the city could reach 30mph, potentially grounding the giant balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which cannot fly if sustained winds exceed 23mph.
Further south, while the severe thunderstorm threat has diminished, rain continues to linger in southern Texas and Georgia. Florida is also set for an unseasonable chill, with temperatures expected to approach freezing late on Thursday.
The West
Lighter snowfall is winding down in Wyoming and Montana, but a second weather system is poised to drench the Pacific Northwest. This is expected to cause flooding in parts of Washington state and Oregon, leading to further travel delays along the I-5 corridor.
A Nation on the Move Against the Elements
This Thanksgiving travel period is shaping up to be a test of endurance for millions. With a combination of heavy snow, high winds, and torrential rain affecting nearly every region, travellers are being urged to stay updated on the latest forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys as they seek to reunite with loved ones for the holiday.
