Thanksgiving Winter Storm Threatens Holiday Travel: Millions in Northeast Brace for Heavy Snow and Rain
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for parts of the Northeast and New England, where higher elevations could see 6-12 inches of snow. Meanwhile, the I-95 corridor is expected to face a wet and rainy Thanksgiving.
A potent winter storm bringing heavy snow, rain, and severe weather is poised to disrupt Thanksgiving travel across the eastern U.S. as the holiday weekend begins. The storm will be followed by an arctic blast, setting the stage for a significant lake-effect snowstorm near the Great Lakes.
The storm kicked off its journey on Wednesday, covering parts of the Rockies with heavy snow that caused traffic challenges in Colorado and Utah but brought early holiday cheer to ski resorts.
By Wednesday afternoon, the system had moved into the Plains and was set to sweep through the Midwest and Ohio Valley by nightfall.
The Midwest will primarily see rain, but temperatures could drop low enough to produce a narrow band of snow from central Illinois to central Ohio. These areas might receive around an inch of snow, though it’s unlikely to stick on major roadways due to marginally cold conditions.
Snow will spread more widely across the interior Northeast on Thanksgiving Day as the developing storm system moves into the region, drawing in colder air from Canada.
Temperatures will remain mild enough to confine snowfall to the interior Northeast, with accumulations expected to be less severe than last week’s storm, which brought 17-20 inches to parts of upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, and northwestern New Jersey. However, the FOX Forecast Center warns that the snow will be heavy and wet, likely to slow travel significantly in higher elevations and potentially cause power outages.
The heaviest snowfall is anticipated in the mountainous regions of the Catskills, Poconos, Adirondacks, and the Green and White Mountains, especially at elevations above 1,500 feet.
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 53042 - Kiel WI:
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for parts of the Northeast and New England, including sections of upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Forecasters predict up to 12 inches of snow in higher elevations within the warning areas, while regions under Winter Weather Advisories could see up to 6 inches. The NWS office in Albany, New York, cautioned drivers about hazardous travel conditions in parts of the Mohawk Valley, the eastern Catskills, and the Helderberg Mountains.
Cities such as Syracuse, Buffalo, Binghamton, and Albany in New York are expected to experience some snowfall, with road conditions likely deteriorating along major interstates including I-81, I-87, I-88, I-90, and I-91.
Farther south, steady rain is forecast across the mid-Atlantic and southern New England, potentially disrupting last-minute travel for those flying in and out of the region. This includes cities along the heavily traveled I-95 corridor, such as Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Those planning to watch New York City’s iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade should prepare for a chilly, rainy morning.
Severe Weather Threat in the Southeast
The FOX Forecast Center is closely monitoring the Southeast, where severe weather is a potential concern.
A cold front linked to the coast-to-coast storm will move through the region, potentially sparking strong to severe thunderstorms.
The primary threat from these storms will be damaging wind gusts, with a possibility of tornadoes also being a concern.
As the Thanksgiving Day winter storm moves out of the Northeast, it will draw in even colder, arctic air from Canada, extending as far south as the Southeast. By Friday, more than 230 million Americans will experience below-average temperatures.
Weather Forecast For 95134 San Jose CA:
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The frigid air will move over the record-warm Great Lakes, potentially sparking a significant, multi-day lake-effect snow event along Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the eastern shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake Michigan. Buffalo is under a Winter Storm Watch starting Saturday.
Meanwhile, ski resorts in the Rockies are expected to see accumulating snow.
Snow brings frustration for travelers but excitement for ski resorts in Utah and Colorado, where many resorts saw over a foot of snow.
A video from Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado, captured snow rapidly accumulating as the winter storm hit the area. In just 24 hours, 22 inches of snow fell, with over 3 feet recorded in the past week.
However, the storm also caused hazardous driving conditions across Colorado, as shown in another video highlighting the treacherous roads.
The video shows snow-covered roads with vehicles moving slowly as snow fell in Summit County.
In El Paso County, a man was tragically killed after being struck by a truck following another crash on Interstate 25, according to the Colorado State Patrol. While the roads were wet, not snowy, at the time, investigators are still looking into whether weather conditions played a role in the crash.
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Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Transportation shared a video on Tuesday morning showing snowplows clearing roads in Daniels Summit, located outside Heber City.
Winter weather alerts are still in effect for parts of Utah and Colorado, including Denver and Colorado Springs, through Wednesday. However, as the storm moves out of the region, these alerts will begin to expire.
