Rain and Snow Expected Across the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast Ahead of Thanksgiving
Multiple weather fronts will push rain and snow into the Midwest, the Southeast, the mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast ahead of Thanksgiving week and some of the year’s busiest travel days.
Late Sunday, Over 25 Million People Covered by National Weather Service Watches and Warnings
Late Sunday, more than 25 million people were covered by National Weather Service watches and warnings related to winter storm activity, including those covering winds, flooding, and freezing conditions.
Rain and Gusty Thunderstorms Expected in the Central and Southern Plains
Rain and gusty thunderstorms were forecast for parts of the central and southern Plains on Monday, and flood watches covered 4 million people from northwest Texas through central Oklahoma, federal and NBC News forecasters said.
Severe Weather Expected in West Texas
Severe weather was expected for West Texas, including Abilene, Wichita Falls, and Midland, with 60 mph winds, thunderstorms, and even a possible tornado, NBC News forecasters said.
Rain and Snow Expected This Week
Starting in the Pacific Northwest, a “long duration atmospheric river” was expected to bring 5 inches of rain and at least 3 inches of snow to Oregon and Northern California beginning as early as Monday, federal forecasters and academic researchers said.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said the stream of precipitation overhead would bring a chance of snow to parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming after it exits the Pacific Northwest.
Looking Ahead to Thanksgiving
Federal forecasters often avoid making predictions beyond seven days but were confident that cooler temperatures, cold rain, and high-elevation snow would arrive on the East Coast on the Sunday of the week that marks the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday shopping, and one of the busiest periods of the year for travel.
Nearly 80 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles in the holiday period, the AAA said Monday, with unprecedented numbers set to drive and fly to see friends and family.
FAQs
Q: How many people are expected to travel during the holiday period?
A: Nearly 80 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles in the holiday period, according to the AAA.
Q: What is the expected precipitation outlook for Thanksgiving week?
A: California, the Pacific Northwest, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and some Great Lakes states, such as Wisconsin and Michigan, are “leaning” in favor of above-average rain, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center’s six- to 10-day weather outlook.
Q: What is the expected snowfall for the Northeast?
A: Up to 6 inches of snow is possible in the higher terrain near the Great Lakes and interior Northeast, and especially for the central Appalachians, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Q: Will the rain and snow systems affect travel plans?
A: It is too early to tell whether brewing rain and snow systems will thwart travel and spending plans, but federal forecasters are monitoring the situation closely.
