Snow, rain could disrupt busiest travel day of the year in US, forecasts show
Millions of travelers could be en route as the storm hits.
ByDaniel Amarante and Julia Jacobo
November 26, 2023, 11:23 AM
A massive winter storm containing snow and heavy rain could disrupt travel for millions of Americans who will be returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday on Sunday, regarded as the busiest travel day of the year.
Snow began moving into the Chicago region on Sunday morning, reducing visibility at O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, which could trigger flight delays elsewhere in the United States.
Snow scenes in Wichita, Ka. as they picked up 6”-12” in southern Kansas, on Nov. 25, 2023.KAKE
Inclement weather in other large cities could cause a domino effect of delays, as well, forecasts show.
In Detroit, a chilly rainfall will develop throughout the day on Sunday, with some wintry mix possible. Cleveland has a similar forecast, with cold rain throughout the day.
MORE: Post-Thanksgiving storm moving through US could disrupt plans to travel home
Major cities in the Northeast along the I-95 corridor such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City will see rain developing on Sunday afternoon and turning heavier into the night. In New York City, the rain is expected to begin after sunset, around 5 p.m., but the timing of the heaviest rain is not expected until overnight and the early morning hours Monday.
Sunday travel weather map.ABC News
While major problems are not expected in Atlanta, another major travel hub, some rain showers could develop later on Sunday.
MORE: Thanksgiving travel tips: Best and worst days to fly or drive
Widespread, 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is forecast across states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
The snow from the storm will be limited to higher elevations in northern New England. Up to 2 feet of snow could fall in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
By Monday morning, as many people head back to work and school, this storm will be mostly done across the northeast, with the exception of leftover rain and snow in northern New England.ABC News
The storm will have mostly moved off of the Northeast by Monday morning as people head back to school and work, with the exception of leftover rain in northern New England.
However, lake effect snow will begin to affect communities in western New York as the storm system moves out.
MORE: Climate change could soon make these staple Thanksgiving dishes more scarce
As the storm moves out, the cold air will move in behind it, creating conditions for heavy snow to blanket the area as the cold air passes over the relatively warm water in the Great Lakes.
The National Weather Service has issued lake effect snow warnings for most of the eastern shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Heavy snow bands will form on Monday and Tuesday, creating near-white-out conditions at times.
Travelers wait in a security line at Denver International Airport on Nov. 21, 2023, in Denver.Thomas Peipert/AP
Snow amounts will be extremely localized based on the location of the bands, but some communities could see up to 2 feet of accumulation in the coming days, forecasts show.
News Related-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
Mom of 2 goes missing after leaving mental health treatment in Texas, never boarding plane to California to see kids for Thanksgiving
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
RBA boss Michele Bullock concedes borrowers ‘very unhappy’ with rate hikes
-
Australians on alert for scammers after bushfire destroys 18 homes, businesses
-
OnlyFans star Seb Guilhaus set to plead to drug trafficking charges in January
-
Armed gang terrorise couple in violent home invasion
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB
-
Lee Hsien Yang ordered to pay damages to Shanmugam, Vivian for defaming them over Ridout Road rentals
-
Cow of breed that produces high-end Japanese beef rakes in record $271,000 at auction
-
North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates
-
Faulty pipe caused water leakage and ‘very bad odour’ at Jem mall