Thanksgiving Travel Faces Potential Disruptions from Dual Storm Systems

As millions of Americans prepare for what is expected to be one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel periods in recent years, forecasters warn that two developing storm systems may pose significant challenges to travelers. Nearly 82 million people are anticipated to travel by road and air, raising concerns that adverse weather could exacerbate congestion at critical transportation hubs.

The first storm is projected to develop on Monday, moving slowly across the southern Plains before bringing moisture into the Southeast. This system is expected to produce persistent rainfall from Texas through Georgia, potentially causing delays at major airports such as Dallas Fort Worth and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental. Although the storm’s trajectory northward remains uncertain, early forecasts indicate the mid-Atlantic and Northeast could experience unsettled weather coinciding with peak travel times.

Travel experts highlight that Tuesday afternoon—typically one of the busiest travel periods on U.S. highways—might see worsening congestion if heavy rain occurs along key interstate routes from Mississippi to the Carolinas. Such delays on roads and in the air could quickly compound, particularly as airports brace for record passenger numbers.

Simultaneously, a second weather system is expected to enter the Pacific Northwest, bringing rain, cooler temperatures, and the initial signs of winter to that area. By midweek, the storm will move toward the Rockies and central U.S., potentially causing rain on Thanksgiving morning from Missouri to Texas. Should colder air follow the system, some communities might witness the season’s first snowfall, although widespread precipitation is predicted to remain primarily rain.

Despite these early-week disturbances, meteorologists suggest that Thanksgiving Day itself should be largely clear across much of the country. Regions including the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast are forecasted to enjoy dry conditions, offering relief to travelers attending holiday events such as New York’s famed turkey-balloon parade. Some cities may even experience a brief spell of unseasonably warm weather before colder temperatures settle in for December.

Experts emphasize, however, that uncertainties remain high concerning the detailed paths of these storms. They advise travelers to monitor up-to-date weather reports closely as conditions continue to evolve throughout the holiday week.