Thanksgiving Travel: Snow & Delays Ahead

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected throughout the week across much of the country, from Seattle to Dallas, and several inches of snow could fall in some areas of North America.

The storm is expected to begin dropping rain and snow in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado on Sunday, then move eastward across the plains early in the week and toward the Midwest and East Coast around Thanksgiving.

AccuWeather Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok predicted, "The worst weather will be in the South Central and Southeastern states."

Here's what you should know starting this week.

How could the storm impact Thanksgiving travel?

Heavy rain and lightning are expected during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. AAA estimates that more than 81 million people will leave home to celebrate with loved ones for the holidays. Early in the week, rain and thunderstorms could be heavy enough to impact flights in Texas and Arkansas, including airports in Austin, Dallas, and Little Rock.

AccuWeather meteorologists predict delays at major airports in Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, Houston, and Minneapolis as the storm moves into the central United States on Tuesday.

Meteorologists said that in the Great Lakes region, a combination of snow and rain on Wednesday could disrupt traffic and flights in cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, New York.

AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said, "Travelers traveling in the Great Lakes region on Thanksgiving Day could face typical lake-like snow, which could reduce visibility and make travel slippery."

What's the Snowfall Forecast?

A separate eastward-moving system is expected to bring light to moderate snow to parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin from Monday through Wednesday. According to AccuWeather, some light snow is expected in the south.

By Wednesday, snow and strong winds could make travel difficult in parts of Wyoming and Colorado.

Several inches of snow could fall on major interstates in the Great Lakes region. Falling temperatures in the region could reduce visibility and cause icy roads on Thursday.

Rain and snow could also fall in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. AccuWeather said an "atmospheric river" could bring moisture into the region, "increasing the risk of flooding and making travel difficult in western Washington and northwestern Oregon."