The Thanksgiving holiday season in 2025 has brought with it a travel rush unlike any seen in nearly 15 years, but it’s also been marked by widespread weather disruptions and lingering effects from a recent government shutdown. With an estimated 82 million Americans expected to travel, the week has already seen more than 5,000 flights delayed or canceled nationwide between Monday and Tuesday, according to figures compiled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and reported by multiple outlets.
Travelers across the United States are facing a perfect storm of challenges. The FAA warned that this year’s holiday period would be the busiest since 2010, with over 360,000 flights booked throughout the week. Of these, around 52,000 flights were scheduled for Tuesday alone, as reported by The Independent. The busiest travel days are projected to be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday and Monday following the holiday, when millions return home.
On the ground, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that nearly 73 million people—close to 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers—will journey by car. “That number could end up being higher if some air travelers decide to drive instead of fly following recent flight cancellations,” AAA cautioned. With so many on the move, weather has become a critical factor, and this year, Mother Nature is not making it easy.
Storms began wreaking havoc in Texas on Monday, shifting eastward into Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama by Tuesday. The National Weather Service warned, “Isolated severe storms are possible across parts of the Southeast/Deep South this morning into the early evening hours. A couple of tornadoes are possible in parts of eastern Mississippi and central Alabama.” Flash flood warnings were issued for several regions, and more than 42,000 Alabamians lost power, according to PowerOutage.US. In Houston, a tornado ripped through neighborhoods, leaving behind damaged homes and toppled trees.
Further north, the Midwest and Great Lakes regions are contending with heavy snowfall and blustery winds. Forecasters in Minnesota predicted up to nine inches of snow from Tuesday through Wednesday—a daunting prospect for the “army of Minnesotans hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday,” as KARE 11 noted. The Metropolitan Airports Commission expects to screen 441,000 people at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport between Thursday and December 1, with the busiest days falling between Wednesday and Sunday, according to CBS News.
Lower Michigan is bracing for lake effect snow, with up to a foot or more expected between Tuesday and Thursday morning. The National Weather Service issued winter storm watches, cautioning, “Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.” Winds may gust up to 45 miles per hour, raising the risk of downed tree branches and power lines.
North Dakota is also set to receive up to six inches of snow, with Bismarck forecasters advising, “If you’re planning on traveling Tuesday, be prepared for snow-covered roads and rapidly changing visibility due to falling and blowing snow.” Chicago, meanwhile, is grappling with blowing snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph. More than 85 flights had already been delayed at O’Hare International Airport by mid-morning, according to FlightAware. The National Weather Service’s Chicago Office warned, “Wind-whipped snow showers and flurries will accompany the winds, resulting in brief poor visibility.”
On the East Coast, rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday, with precipitation moving into New England by Wednesday morning. FOX Weather reported, “The cold front will bring periods of rain and gusty winds to the Northeast, which could cause some delays at major airport hubs in Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and New York City, while some rain will linger across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.” AccuWeather forecasters noted that winds in New York City could reach up to 30 mph, potentially affecting the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, which cannot fly in sustained winds over 23 mph or gusts above 35 mph.
In the Southeast, Florida and Georgia are facing rainy weather and potential tornado hazards. The National Weather Service in Atlanta sounded the alarm for possible tornadoes on Tuesday, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport saw more than 259 flight delays. Florida is also experiencing a cold snap, with temperatures near freezing expected late Thursday and into the weekend.
Out West, snow is winding down in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, though winter weather advisories remain in effect. Cameras in Missoula, Montana, and Pueblo, Colorado, showed roads buried in snow. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest is bracing for an atmospheric river event, which could bring heavy rain and possible flooding to western Washington and northwestern Oregon. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski explained, “The first round of heavy rain looks to target western Washington and northwestern Oregon starting late Tuesday and Tuesday night.” Snowfall of up to two inches is expected from Portland to Seattle, with other areas possibly seeing as many as four inches.
All of this comes just as the airline industry is recovering from the aftershocks of a prolonged government shutdown. According to The Get the Facts Data Team, approximately 6 million Thanksgiving travelers are expected to fly domestically this year, just a week after the FAA resumed normal operations. The agency had imposed a 10-day reduction in flight orders due to staffing and safety concerns arising from the shutdown, which lasted nearly 43 days and left air traffic control staff and TSA agents without pay.
Since the FAA lifted its flight order reductions on November 17, daily flight cancellations have generally trended downward. However, the holiday surge and severe weather are putting that progress to the test. Torrential rain in Dallas, Texas, on November 20 forced American Airlines to cancel more than 450 flights, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of the system.
Flight cancellations and delays are being tracked daily across major U.S. airlines—American, Delta, Southwest, and United. Since the initial reduction in flight orders on November 7, trends show that while the system is stabilizing, external shocks like weather can quickly upend even the best-laid plans. Data from The Get the Facts Data Team underscores that the resilience of airports and airlines is being tested as millions take to the skies in the wake of operational disruptions and unpredictable weather.
With the holiday travel period still underway and more storms in the forecast, travelers are advised to check for updates and remain flexible. Whether by air or by road, patience and preparation are proving essential for anyone hoping to make it home for Thanksgiving this year.
