Powerful storm threatens to disrupt Thanksgiving travel plans

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

According to meteorologists, as millions of Americans prepare for Thanksgiving travel, a huge storm threatens to disrupt plans across the Midwest and Northeast. A big storm is predicted to bring rain, snow, wind, and perhaps ice to the eastern part of the United States after weeks of generally quiet weather.

The storm’s timing couldn’t be worse, with an estimated 55 to 56 million people travelling throughout Thanksgiving week. The Midwest is anticipated to have the most travel disruptions on Tuesday, while the Northeast will suffer difficulties from Tuesday until Tuesday night. The travel disruptions caused by the weather may extend until Wednesday.

Over the South Central states, the storm strengthened, bringing severe thunderstorms, heavy downpours, damaging winds, and hail. Tornadoes reported in Louisiana and Mississippi exacerbated the storm’s ferocity. As the system moves forward, heavy rain is likely in the Pittsburgh and Atlanta metro areas, with locally strong thunderstorms leading to probable delays in the Atlanta area.

Strong east-to-southeast winds, averaging 25-35 mph with gusts of 40-45 mph, are expected from late Tuesday afternoon to evening throughout the Northeast. Due to difficult conditions at airports in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, this may cause airline delays. Along the I-90 corridor from Ohio to western New York, power outages and severe traffic conditions are also anticipated.

The storm’s impact on roadways is predicted to be substantial on Tuesday, particularly along I-80, I-81, and I-95 in the mid-Atlantic area. The greatest rain is expected to fall on New York City late Tuesday afternoon and Boston late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, causing travel delays and difficulties.

While the storm will provide much-needed precipitation to drought-stricken areas, its wintry side may dump locally significant snow in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains, and 6 to 12 inches from northern New Hampshire to northwestern Maine, are expected, with skiers likely to appreciate the natural snowfall.

Despite the fact that there will be little ice, forecasters advise care, particularly on high areas approaching freezing temperatures. While lake-effect snow was expected, the prediction indicates that it would be temporary owing to a quick return to dry weather in the Midwest and Northeast by Thanksgiving Day. During this potentially disruptive weather season, travellers are recommended to keep informed and use caution.

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