Heavy traffic moves along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway on Nov. 20, 2018, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is predicting that more than 55 million people will travel during this year's Thanksgiving holiday.
Wondering what the weather will be like for your Thanksgiving journey?
You're not alone. Unpredictable and sometimes hazardous weather is a mainstay of winter holiday travel.
Forecasters say there's likely to be precipitation in some areas that could lead to slowed traffic and airport delays. Parts of California, in particular, could be hit by bad weather.
"We're currently expecting three weather systems to impact the country on the day before Thanksgiving, possibly bringing precipitation to parts of the West, the Northeast and the South," weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Belles said Friday.
That could be bad news for those driving or flying, as Thanksgiving travel is expected to peak in the late afternoon and early evening on Wednesday, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
In the West, a cold storm is expected to bring rain and snow to California, as well parts of the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. Some of the worst conditions are likely to be Tuesday night through Wednesday in the greater Lake Tahoe and Mono County regions of California, where bands of snow could make travel very difficult to impossible, the National Weather Service said.
The potentially hazardous conditions could extend into Thursday as well.
"The cold nature of this storm will lead to accumulating snow at all elevations, not just pass levels," the weather service advised. "This storm is coinciding with one of the busiest travel periods of the year. With heavy snow possible, travel impacts could be significant. Be sure to have tire chains, warm clothing, blankets, and extra food and water."
A front moving into the East could bring rain or snow to areas from the Great Lakes to New England. Those traveling through the Desert Southwest could encounter heavy rain.
Flights could be delayed along the Texas coast due to rain showers.
Rain could also be on the way for Atlanta, Los Angeles and Boston, three of the metro areas expected to have the most traffic on Wednesday.
Belles said travelers might want to think about leaving a little earlier than planned, as Sunday and Monday look to be the best travel days in the next week.
And because the forecast is still uncertain, travelers should be sure and check the weather closer to their departure time.
"Wait a few days before changing your trip because this forecast will likely change," Belles said.
AAA predicts that more than 55 million people nationwide will travel at least 50 miles from home to celebrate Thanksgiving. That's a 2.9% increase over last year, and the second-highest number since 2005.
Most of that travel will be done by car, meaning traffic will be snarled in many of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. Add in a little rain or snow, and that trip over the river and through the woods could turn into a white-knuckled ride.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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