As Thanksgiving week approaches, travelers should be prepared for potentially severe weather that may disrupt travel plans across various regions of the country. Significant weather events are expected over the weekend, particularly from Saturday through Sunday.
On Thanksgiving Day, major airports likely to experience delays include those in Cleveland, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon. The Great Lakes region will see bands of heavy lake-effect snow and strong winds, leading to challenging conditions along Interstate 90 from Cleveland to Buffalo and Interstate 81 in upstate New York. Concurrently, Winter Storm Bellamy is anticipated to start impacting areas in the Northern Rockies and Plains, with snow extending into parts of the Pacific Northwest.
On Black Friday, travelers using airports in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Kansas City may face delays due to persistent lake-effect snow in the eastern Great Lakes, as well as additional snowfall moving from Montana into the Northern Plains and upper Midwest. Snow-covered roads may create hazardous travel conditions, while rain and thunderstorms are also projected across parts of the southern U.S.
Saturday is expected to be particularly impactful, with flight delays projected at major airports including Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and further along the Midwest. As Winter Storm Bellamy intensifies, widespread snowfall in the upper Mississippi Valley could lead to difficult driving conditions. Additionally, thunderstorms in the South may prompt flash flooding and further complicate travel plans in already saturated areas.
Finally, on Sunday, airports in cities like Atlanta, Boston, and New York City may face significant delays as Winter Storm Bellamy shifts eastward. Rainfall is expected along the East Coast, particularly in urban areas along the Interstate 95 corridor. While snow may fall in the interior Northeast and persistent lake-effect snow could affect parts of the Great Lakes, travelers should remain aware of potential delays due to varied weather conditions.
With the right planning and weather awareness, travelers can still navigate these conditions during the busy holiday weekend. Keeping updated with forecasts and tracking flight statuses will be key in ensuring safer travel.