'Messy Thanksgiving travel': Thanksgiving week weather forecast by region

For many of the tens of millions of Americans who will travel for Thanksgiving, forecasters say some “messy” weather could be in store.

Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, according to AAA, which forecasts how many people will travel by plane or car. Nearly 80 million are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes.

Some travelers can expect cold temperatures, high winds, rain and even a possibility for heavy snow. The cold weather may extend into post-holiday shopping and travel, too.

There’s also a slight risk of heavy snow in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast starting the day after Thanksgiving and into the weekend, while the West is set to continue seeing rain in California.

In eastern US, 'messy Thanksgiving travel' possible

On Saturday, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center forecasted “messy Thanksgiving travel" was possible in the eastern U.S.

AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok previously told USA TODAY that travelers should be prepared for delays due to strong winds throughout the region.

For those in the Great Lakes region extending into the Northeast, rain and snow at higher elevations are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. An area of low pressure is bringing with it “the most significant cold air outbreak of the season thus far” across most of the contiguous U.S., the weather service said.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York could see the possibility of rain.

Weather forecast maps

Midwest to see rain, chance of snow in parts

The weather service says there's a chance of light snow in parts of the Central Plains and middle Mississippi River Valley Wednesday. This could affect the upper Ohio Valley, Appalachian Mountains, the mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast by Thanksgiving Day and into Friday.

Rain, season's first freeze in the South

The first freeze of the season could come then across the South.

A low pressure system is set to develop in the south-central Plains and will track eastward, which will likely add precipitation to the eastern half of the U.S. between Wednesday and Friday, federal forecasters said. Heaviest rainfall is currently expected in the middle southern U.S., the Tennessee Valley and lower Ohio Valley from late Wednesday through Thursday.

In West, residents don't catch much of break from rain, yet

In the West, rain will head southward slowly into Tuesday, the Weather Prediction Center said. This is expected to bring “modest rain” into California, which has been hit with an atmospheric river that has caused flooding in parts.

The rainfall is projected to affect areas south of where flooding has occurred. Showers could be possible from California to the Pacific Northwest, said Chris Dolce, a weather.com meteorologist.

Snowfall will also accumulate in western mountain ranges, with heavy snow between 1 and 3 feet in the Sierra Nevada, and 1 to 2 feet in the Colorado Rockies.

Meanwhile, the Southwest could see above average temperatures Tuesday that head to the southern Plains. However, a surge of cold air will sweep across much of the contiguous U.S. by later in the week, cooling the West and southern tier to normal.

Precipitation should ease later next week.

Stay safe during Thanksgiving travel

Before you head out for your Thanksgiving trips, check the weather. Tell someone when you’re leaving and when you expect to arrive.

Stay off the roads during blizzard and winter storm conditions unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you need to drive during serious weather, go slowly and use your headlights. Even if the road looks clear, black ice – which is actually invisible – could be lurking and cause you to lose control.

'It happened so fast': Black ice turns roads into invisible skating rinks

Prepare your car just in case you get stranded on the road in bad conditions. Pack a safety kit that includes blankets, water and nonperishable foods. Keep warm clothes in your car even if you don’t think you’ll need them.

Make sure your cellphone is charged.

If you get stranded in a winter storm, stay in your car. Turn on your engine and use the heater periodically – about 10 minutes every hour – but make sure your exhaust pipes are clear of snow, and a down-wind window is open for ventilation.

Try to do light exercise to keep your extremities moving.

(This story has been updated to add new information and correct a misspelling/typo.)

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Doyle Rice

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thanksgiving 2024 weather forecast by US region: Will it snow?