Sporadic Weather Hazards to Continue for Lower 48 States Until Thanksgiving

Sporadic weather hazards are possible to continue for the Lower 48 states until Thanksgiving despite a relative calm in recent days, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Heavy rain and mountain snow could affect the northern Rocky Mountains on Wednesday, November 23.

While heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the southern Great Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley for Thanksgiving Day.

The latest US weather forecast comes after previous reports suggest that over 54 million Americans will be affected by a chaotic Thanksgiving travel this year.

Over the past week, US meteorologists have warned of a persistent snowy weather with cold temperatures and potential blizzard conditions.

The forecast has been consistent in line with the upcoming winter season in December.

NWS Weather Forecast

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NWS on Tuesday, November 22, stated that as Thanksgiving gets closer, some weather hazards are expected on Wednesday in Southern California, where high wind watches and wind advisories will take effect as the Santa Ana offshore winds or Santa Ana winds develop and increase the fire weather threats.

The NWS - WPC short-range forecast on Tuesday adds that the constant air stagnation issues will continue in parts of the Northwest until late week.

Moreover, potentially impactful snow could start as early as Thursday evening for parts of the southern High Plains.

In addition, the US weather agency hinted that the weather pattern across the US will become more active in the coming days, even after Thanksgiving Day, since a shortwave will move into the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday.

Potential Travel Disruption

Despite the said hazards, the general weather to the hours or days leading to Thanksgiving on Thursday will be clear and tranquil, according to latest weather reports.

This comes after the lake-effect snowstorm or lake-effect snow event that buried western New York to dozens of inches of snow has come to an end.

However, the weather on the way home could be messy since a storm will start to impact portions of the Central US and Southern US on Thanksgiving Day, USA Today reported.

Almost 55 million people are set to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving 2022, which is an increase of 1.5% from 2021 and is close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the American Automobile AAssociation

Since the NWS forecast is not absolute and change any time, the most threatening weather hazards to travel are heavy snowfall since it could lead to poor visibility.

2021 Thanksgiving Day Weather

Temperatures during the 2021 Thanksgiving Day ranged between 50 degrees and 69 degrees Fahrenheit with the NWS' outlook at that time predicted a 60% chance of rain and potential thunderstorms before noon of the national holiday, according to the newspaper Austin American-Statesman.

For this year, forecasters predict a relatively warm winter season in spite of the arrival of the arctic chill in recent days.

Regardless of the weather for the upcoming holiday, domestic flights are still susceptible potential disruption like delays or cancellations.