Thanksgiving Day is meant for family reunions and feasting, but this year, Mother Nature had other plans for millions of travelers across the Northeast. A powerful winter storm swept through northeastern U.S. states, creating challenging travel conditions with heavy snow, rain, and the potential for severe weather. Reports indicated widespread disruptions impacting everything from delayed flights to treacherous roads.
The storm began to descend upon the region on Thanksgiving morning, as forecasters warned of significant snowfall accumulating across the interior Northeast during the day. Locations like the Catskills, the Poconos, and the higher peaks of Vermont braced for especially heavy snow, with predictions of up to 12 inches accumulating before the storm passed.
For many embarking on their holiday travels, the inclement weather was alarming. By mid-afternoon on Thanksgiving, areas of upstate New York and western Pennsylvania were grappling with challenging conditions, leading to hazardous travel on major highways. The National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings across several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and New England.
Maine was particularly hard hit, as heavy, wet snow began accumulating early Thursday. According to WGME's meteorologist, Emily Santom, Mainers faced the worst of it during the late afternoon and evening hours. Snowfall began around 9 AM, changing rapidly from rain to heavy snow by noon, with expectations of slushy roads and power outages throughout the state.
"By 1 PM to 8 PM, we expect the heaviest travel impacts," Santom warned, urging caution among drivers. Forecasts indicated snow accumulations of 2 inches along the coastline and potentially up to 10 inches for areas located farther inland, as temperatures dropped below freezing.
This storm did not just affect travel by car; it also wreaked havoc at major airports like Newark, Boston, and Atlanta. Reports from FlightAware revealed hundreds of delays and cancellations across these hubs as the storm moved along the East Coast. Travelers at many of the busiest airports faced frustration as lines grew long and notifications of flight disruptions became common. Newark Liberty International Airport, for example, noted delays exceeding 90 minutes at times, largely due to high traffic compounded by operational challenges.
While air travel was forecasted to recover somewhat, roadways were prone to remain slick and icy. According to weather teams, conditions could improve by Friday morning, which would be welcome news for those returning home post-holiday.
Southward, the storm’s effects were felt differently. Severe weather threats loomed across the Southeast, with thunderstorms predicted to escalate throughout portions of Louisiana and Mississippi, culminating potentially in tornadoes. More than 18 million people faced the risk of severe weather today, making it imperative for travelers to stay informed about their routes and maintain safety precautions.
Many Americans had already succumbed to the holiday rush, with AAA estimating record traffic levels this Thanksgiving. It projected around 71 million people would travel by the roads, making the capacity likely overwhelming. For those on the highways, the Friday after Thanksgiving is anticipated to exhibit less congestion with calmer weather expected.
For cities along the eastern seaboard, rain and snow made for very wet parade-goers; something not lost on organizers of local celebrations. Heavy downpour hit New York City just before its annual Thanksgiving Day parade started, leading to mushy pathways and drenched attendees. Yet onlookers still braved the elements to enjoy the beloved holiday event.
Daily highs were predicted to reach the upper 30s and low 40s across the region, leading to bone-chilling overnight lows well below freezing. The storm effect may hang around for the weekend as temperatures will plunge drastically, causing many areas to face their coldest weather of the season so far.
By Sunday, the forecast indicated the busiest travel day for holiday returnees, where as many as three million people were anticipated to flow through TSA checkpoints as they departed from their festive hangouts. With potential delays on the horizon due to continuing adverse weather and high numbers of travelers, individuals planning their journeys were advised to take extra precaution, particularly for those driving home on the interstates.
The arrival of winter storms historically ushers in both danger and beauty to Thanksgiving celebrations. While many enjoyed the spirit of the holiday with family and food, others felt the impact of the seasonal weather front, reminding everyone how unpredictability plays quite the role during holiday travel.
