As millions prepare for their Thanksgiving journeys, a significant arctic weather system is poised to hit parts of the United States, particularly affecting the eastern regions. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings of an "arctic outbreak" that could bring temperatures plummeting to between -30F and -40F (-34C to -40C) in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
This wave of severe weather coincides with the peak travel days leading up to Thanksgiving, which historically marks some of the busiest travel hours of the year. Forecaster Matt Taylor from BBC Weather indicates that heavy snow and rain are anticipated over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, with projections of over 10 inches (25cm) of snow in certain locales.
The cold front will progressively shift towards the Midwest, causing "lake-effect" snow and potentially severe thunderstorms. Areas such as northern Michigan, New England, and the Appalachians are bracing for substantial snowfall amounts, while the busy travel corridors like the I-90 and I-81 are at risk of disruptions.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for a record travel surge as they anticipate nearly nine million air travelers to pass through security checkpoints during Tuesday, Wednesday, and the Sunday after the holiday. A staggering 72 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles (80km) by car, bolstered by lower gas prices compared to last year’s Thanksgiving.
While airport conditions have remained stable thus far, the upcoming weather threatens to disrupt travel plans as the storm intensifies. In California, contrasting weather patterns have also challenged travelers. Earlier this week, the region experienced heavy snow in high elevations alongside strong wind gusts. Central California faced another atmospheric river event, compounding the difficulties for nearby communities still recovering from last week's bomb cyclone, which brought severe flooding and widespread power outages.
With a low-pressure system forecasted to affect Washington, Oregon, and California in the coming days, the pre-holiday travel rush is likely to face additional hurdles as weather impacts sweep across the nation.