A sweeping storm system is impacting much of the United States on this, the final day of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend. Nearly 14 million people found themselves under various winter weather alerts on Sunday, according to The New York Times.
The post-Thanksgiving snowstorm swept over the Rockies and Central Plains region, leading to winter storm warnings in parts of Michigan, while weather advisories remained in effect across areas of the Midwest and Great Lakes, the Weather Prediction Center said on Sunday.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is anticipated in the Southern Rockies and Central Plains, impacting regions like Kansas, where up to a foot of snow has already fallen in some areas. The National Weather Service emphasizes the potential for hazardous travel conditions due to gusty winds and heavy snow.
The National Weather Service's forecast for the tail end of Thanksgiving weekend, 2023. (Photo Credit: National Weather Service)
In Wichita, Kansas, the local Weather Service described the majority of roadways as "snow-packed and icy", prompting meteorologists to caution drivers to reduce their speeds and allow extra travel time. Parts of Iowa have already seen up to four inches of snow, while Missouri has experienced as much as 5.3 inches. Nebraska reported 10 inches and parts of Colorado also witnessed some extreme snowfall volumes, ranging from 10.5 to 23 inches.
The wintry weather persists while an estimated 55.4 million people have been projected to travel during the Thanksgiving weekend, marking a 2.3 percent increase from last year, according to AAA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is anticipating increased activity at airport security checkpoints through Tuesday. It has predicted that around 2.9 million passengers will be screened on Sunday, which the TSA noted “will likely be the busiest travel day” of the season.
Despite the increased potential for air travel delays and cancellations, airports have thus far experienced minimal disruptions, with only 33 flights within, into or out of the country having been canceled as of Sunday afternoon, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
The winter storm system is predicted to move northeast into the Middle and Upper Mississippi Valley region and the western Great Lakes, heightening the potential for heavy lake-effect snow on Sunday and Monday. Showers and thunderstorms are also expected along the Gulf Coast and into Florida.
The Weather Service noted that temperatures will remain below average across much of the country over the next several days. The Central Rockies, Northern and Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes are expected to experience highs in the 20s and 30s. “Lows into the single digits and teens are forecast for the central/northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Monday, with blustery and winter-like temperatures found throughout the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast on Tuesday,” the NWS wrote.
Meanwhile, the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, Northern Southern Plains and Texas will see highs in the 40s and 50s, even extending down to the Gulf Coast by Monday. In the Northeast, temperatures are predicted to be closer to average, ranging from the 30s and 40s in New England to the 40s and 50s in the Mid-Atlantic on Monday.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
