Thanksgiving week is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year, but this year, travelers across the United States are facing the twin challenges of significant weather disruptions and staffing shortages as they head to family gatherings. With nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel at least 50 miles from home, the stakes are high for those trying to reach their destinations safely.
Leading up to Thanksgiving, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for several regions, signaling possible winter storms. A fresh round of wintry weather, including snow, rain, and strong winds, is anticipated, particularly affecting travel plans on the East Coast. Currently, efforts to recover from previous storms are still underway, most acutely felt across the West Coast, where California and Washington state are still returning to normalcy after severe flooding and power outages.
On the West Coast, California's Sierra Nevada is under winter storm warnings, with up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow expected by Tuesday. The severe weather follows last week’s atmospheric river, which led to extensive damage. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives due to floodwaters, and many regions experienced record rainfall. Santa Rosa recorded over 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) of rain over three days, highlighting the intensity of the storms.
Meanwhile, Washington state and Oregon saw significant power outages as the storm wreaked havoc. The impacts were so severe, with winds from the storm causing damage and blocking roads, leaving many without electricity. At this point, fewer than 25,000 customers remain without power, but recovery efforts continue to be complicated by the impending weather patterns.
For travelers heading toward the Northeast, conditions are likely to improve slowly. Although rain and potential snowfall are expected, projections suggest the system will be less harsh than previous storms. The roof for any travel delays may come from the rain rather than snow as the system moves through the Southeast and northeastern states, reaching areas from Boston to New York.
Hayden Frank, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, explained, "The system doesn’t look like a powerhouse right now. Basically, this will bring rain to the I-95 corridor, so travelers should prepare for wet weather. Unless the system trends much colder, it looks like rain." Frank added, travelers returning home on Sunday can expect reasonably good driving conditions later on, barring any unforeseen weather developments.
Despite the weather uncertainties, airports and roadways remain crowded as many flock to their loved ones for Thanksgiving. The Transportation Security Administration is expecting to screen around 18.3 million people at airports throughout the week, which is about 6 percent higher than last year. Sunday alone could break previous records for the number of travelers passing through security.
Yet disruptions loom on the horizon. An airport service workers strike at Charlotte Douglas International Airport could add to travel headaches. Workers are demanding higher wages and denouncing pay rates deemed insufficient to meet basic living costs. With most employees earning between $12.50 to $19 per hour, many argue this is not enough to sustain families and meet everyday expenses. Timothy Lowe II, one affected employee, lamented, “We just want to be able to have everything that's necessary paid for by the job.”
While U.S. flights have largely been running normally, there are still considerable delays. For the most part, travelers continue to feel the pinch of issues like staffing shortages as airlines strive to navigate the pandemic's aftereffects alongside severe weather.
Traveling by car may prove challenging too, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons when the roads are expected to be heavily congested. Analysts from INRIX suggest the best times to drive after Thanksgiving appear to be early Sunday and Monday mornings or after 7 p.m. when most travelers return home. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx warned drivers about the expected heavy traffic: “There will be times when finding parking and making your way through traffic will be especially challenging.”
Gas prices are slightly lower than last year, which is encouraging news for those hitting the road. The current national average stands at $3.06 per gallon, down from $3.27, providing some financial relief for motorists this holiday season.
Overall, travelers are urged to stay on their toes, monitor conditions, and understand potential weather impacts as Thanksgiving approaches. The combination of winter weather, skilled staffing issues, and the sheer volume of holiday traffic may require some adaptability for families trying to make the most of their long-anticipated gatherings.
To wrap up the stormy forecast, both travelers and meteorologists alike are bracing for possible delays and disruptions, all the more significant during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
