Thanksgiving 2024 is bringing more than just family gatherings and cherished traditions. The holiday is being overshadowed by severe weather disruptions across the United States as millions prepare to travel for festivities. With the anticipated influx of travelers on the roads and at airports, forecasters are predicting challenging conditions, including snow, rain, and dangerously cold temperatures. This confluence of circumstances has led many to wonder: how are holiday travelers coping with the chaos?
The day before Thanksgiving saw travelers hitting the highways and airports like never before. According to reports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipated screening approximately 18.3 million passengers at U.S. airports over the holiday week. This marked a 6% increase from the previous year, reflecting the continent's growing eagerness to reconnect and celebrate after seasons of pandemic-related separations.
Travelers were met with some good news as flight cancellations remained relatively low, with fewer than 50 flights scrapped by Wednesday afternoon. Still, delays were another story—over 2,000 flights were reported as running late, indicative of the frustrating trend of tardiness that's becoming standard across U.S. airlines. Since the prior weekend, airlines averaged upwards of 4,500 late flights daily.
Add to this scenario the anticipated nightmare of road traffic as people set off for holiday gatherings. Wednesday was expected to be particularly congested, with highways filled to the brim with both travelers and commuters alike, all eager to escape the hustle and bustle of the workweek. Accidents on busy routes, such as one involving a dump truck on Interstate 95, compounded the traffic delays, causing more frustration for those on the road.
Feeling the effects of winter’s icy grip, many areas were bracing for a significant Arctic outbreak. This cold front began its downward sprint on Wednesday, bringing dangerously low wind chills across the northern Plains as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall, especially for states like Maine and parts of New York. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted mixed precipitation stretching from northern Arizona all the way to the Upper Midwest and New England. And just when travelers felt the worst was behind them, the projected weather conditions for Thanksgiving Day included storms across the Southeast, sapping the warmth many hoped for amid the cold.
Six inches of snow were expected to hit the Great Lakes region thanks to lake-effect snow, which forms when cold gusts blow over the relatively warmer waters of the lakes. Travelers in areas like New York and Pennsylvania were cautioned to stay alert for road closures and poor visibility. Major interstates, including I-81 and I-90, were likely to be locations of significant travel woes.
Despite the rough road conditions, AAA estimated nearly 80 million Americans would be venturing at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving period, mostly by car. While this influx might have put the auto industry on edge, they welcomed the slight dip in gas prices from last year— the national average fell to $3.07 per gallon, down from $3.25, making it less painful for families to fill their tanks.
Would-be flyers can also expect some complications when it came time to pack and prepare for flights. For those wishing to carry Thanksgiving staples with them on flights, the TSA confirmed travelers could bring traditional holiday foods like turkey and stuffing through security checkpoints, provided liquid items such as gravy and cranberry sauce met the 3.4-ounce liquid limit. Yet, even with detailed TSA guidelines, infrequent flyers, many of whom surfaced during this holiday, often found themselves confused about what was allowed. With their growing visibility, it was clear many still needed guidance about safely traveling with holiday goodies.
Compounding these travel issues was the Federal Aviation Administration's persistent air traffic control shortages. With hundreds of air traffic control facilities dealing with limited staffing, it was clear why some anticipated longer wait times once airborne. Mike Whitaker, the FAA Administrator, noted the agency would need to implement special measures as staffing issues persisted. Travelers were cautioned to take precautionary measures to plan for any potential delays, especially approaching popular transit hubs like New York's JFK Airport.
Weather warnings were not limited to the Northeast and Midwest regions. The Southeastern U.S. faced its own set of severe circumstances, with strong to severe thunderstorms expected to sweep through states like Georgia, North and South Carolina. The National Weather Service issued the early alerts on Wednesday, indicating respect for the affected regions. Despite all this, many remained hopeful for smooth journeys as families set out to celebrate Thanksgiving together.
Families and friends across the country were set to gather around tables laden with delicious holiday fare. And for those wondering what stores would be open for last-minute grocery runs, retailers like Kroger and Whole Foods are ready to help, even as giants like Target, Walmart, and Macy's shut their doors for Thanksgiving.
While families across the nation hoped for peaceful celebrations, the weather was anything but calm. Winter storm warnings blotched the forecast for several states, predicting snowfall of up to 36 inches, fierce winds up to 55 mph, and hazardous travel conditions. The sight of people trudging through stormy weather en route to Thanksgiving gatherings became all too common.
The true test of resilience lay, perhaps, not just within the changing weather patterns but also within the hearts of travelers. The anticipation of the holiday season often brings mixed emotions—an acknowledgment of the struggles of travel coinciding with excitement for the season's festivities. Millions of Americans were set to prove just how much they love this cherished holiday, rain or shine, snow or sleet, as they packed their bags and prepared to create memories together.
