This blog post explains the developing storm system that threatens to disrupt Thanksgiving travel across much of the United States.
It summarizes the storm’s expected track, the types of weather each region can anticipate — from heavy rain and mountain snow to lake-effect snow and severe thunderstorms — and offers practical safety and travel-preparation advice based on long experience interpreting such systems.
What this storm will bring nationwide
Roughly two-thirds of the country are likely to experience one or more weather hazards during the holiday period: rain, snow, strong wind, or thunderstorms.
The system initiates in the West, moves into the Plains, and then spreads moisture and instability into the Mississippi Valley and East Coast by midweek.
Below is a concise regional breakdown of the expected impacts so you can plan travel and safety measures.
Regional impacts and meteorology
West and Pacific Northwest: The storm begins with rain and considerable mountain snow in California and the Southwest.
In the Pacific Northwest, a potent atmospheric river is forecast to produce periods of heavy rain and elevated mountain snowfall in Oregon and Washington.
Plains and Upper Midwest: Early in the week, the Plains will see precipitation expand eastward.
Light to moderate snow is likely from the Dakotas to northern Minnesota. As the system deepens, expect a wintry mix to spread from Montana and Colorado into other parts of the Midwest.
Mississippi Valley and East Coast: By midweek, the storm will bring widespread downpours and an increased risk of severe weather along and ahead of the cold front.
On Thanksgiving Day, lake-effect snowfall is anticipated for northern Michigan and parts of the Great Lakes region, including northeast Ohio and central New York.
Southern states: The National Weather Service highlights a corridor of organized thunderstorms from eastern Mississippi to the southern Appalachians on November 25.
South Central states face the highest risk for severe storms and potential impacts to aviation.
Impacts on travel and transportation
Air and road travel may be significantly affected.
Early-week strong storms could disrupt flights in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, while snow and wintry mixes will create hazardous driving conditions across the Upper Midwest and mountain corridors.
Ground transportation in regions experiencing lake-effect snow can deteriorate rapidly.
Localized heavy bands can produce poor visibility and slick roads within a short time span.
Practical travel tips and safety steps
As someone who has tracked numerous holiday storm systems over three decades, my advice is to prepare now and maintain flexibility.
Final considerations
Weather systems of this scale carry a mix of hazards: heavy rain and flooding in the West and Pacific Northwest, mountain snow, widespread rainfall and severe storms in the South and East, and focused lake-effect snow around the Great Lakes.
Each hazard requires a different preparedness approach.
Use official sources such as the National Weather Service, local state DOTs, and airline notifications for the latest, location-specific guidance.
Here is the source article for this story: Thanksgiving week weather forecast says bad weather for most of US