Thanksgiving weekend travel weather includes storms, snow, and rain
- Most of the country was out of severe weather warnings on Saturday morning.
- A large area of the south could see several inches of rain over the weekend.
- Snow and winds may also create hazardous travel conditions in parts of the Pacific Northwest.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms in the South and snow in the Pacific Northwest could affect travel after Thanksgiving as millions hit the roads and descend on airport terminals this weekend.
Most of the country was free of severe weather warnings on Saturday morning, and a storm in the south appeared to be the most likely source of travel woes.
National Weather Service forecast Slight risk of heavy rain for parts of the western and central coast of the Gulf until Sunday morning, which could cause localized flash flooding. Saturday could also bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to the southern plains and lower Mississippi Valley, according to the Weather Service.
By Sunday morning, the rain is expected to move into the Ohio, Mississippi Valleys, and central Appalachians before continuing northeast into the Great Lakes, Northeast, and mid-Atlantic.
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Most major cities are free from severe weather
The travel rush is back this Thanksgiving, with people catching planes in numbers not seen in years, Put aside inflation fears Reunite with loved ones and enjoy some normalcy after two holiday seasons marked by COVID-19 restrictions.
As of Saturday morning, the majority of the contiguous United States was free of severe weather, with few storm watches or warnings. According to forecasts from the weather service.
The weather service said the East Coast was mostly free of severe weather, as was California on Saturday.
The busiest days for travel during Thanksgiving week are usually the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday after the holiday. This year, the FAA expects Tuesday to be the busiest day for travel, with about 48,000 flights scheduled.
but with flightaware.com Reporting a few dozen flight cancellations in, in, or out of the United States as of Saturday morning, air travel begins the weekend without major disruptions.
Flood risk in Texas, rain in the south
Texas is expected to experience heavy snow and rain over the weekend as a massive storm that moved east through Texas on Thanksgiving is expected to dump another round of rain in the Lone Star State, potentially disrupting post-Thanksgiving travel .
A wide swath of the south, from central Texas to southern Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle, could see 2 to 4 inches of rain through Saturday with up to 12 inches of rain likely in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, According to AccuWeather.
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Meanwhile, parts of Texas are seeing heavy snowfall. Forecasters have warned of up to a foot of snow near the Texas and New Mexico border this weekend, according to AccuWeather.
Parts of Georgia and the Carolinas could also see heavy rain late Saturday into early Sunday, according to an AccuWeather forecast.
Southeast Texas to southwest Louisiana already saw one to four inches of rain from Thanksgiving Day through early Friday, according to AccuWeather. Parts of Houston got more than four inches of rain on Thanksgiving, KBTX reported.
Areas that have already received three to four inches of rain Thursday and Friday will be “particularly sensitive” to wetter weather, said the National Weather Service.
“Excessive runoff may lead to flooding of rivers, streams, creeks, and other low-lying, flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.” the weather service said.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms Saturday night will move to Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and western Georgia, according to AccuWeather.
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Snow and wind batter the Pacific Northwest
Snow and winds may also create dangerous travel conditions in parts of the Pacific Northwest as parts of Washington state and Oregon face winter storm warnings and watches.
At least six inches of heavy snow is expected in the Cascades region Sunday with a Winter Storm Warning in effect Saturday night into Monday morning, According to the National Weather Service.
Portland National Weather Service Beware of snow covered roads In the Sunday and Monday area.
“Mountain passes will be particularly affected by this storm,” the weather service said. “If you have to travel, grab a winter readiness kit and be sure to check the latest road conditions before you head out!”
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