New Storm Threat Emerges Ahead Of Holiday Week: See MD Forecast

MARYLAND — An approaching storm system could complicate conditions at highways and airports in Maryland, which are expected to be congested with projections for record travel over Thanksgiving weekend, the busiest travel holiday of the year.

The Northeast and mid-Atlantic states face chances for widespread rain and pockets of snow in the typically cooler spots in the East next week progresses, AccuWeather forecasters said.

"A less intense storm would move quickly off the Carolina coast and would bring less intense rain and snow to parts of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Emma Belscher.

Regardless of what track the storm takes, Thanksgiving will likely be a cloudy, rain day for some across the eastern half of the country. A slower-moving, more intense storm could lead to more impacts following the Thanksgiving holiday into the weekend.

The National Weather Service predicts the Baltimore-DC region will see perfect travel conditions next Tuesday and Wednesday with mostly clear skies and highs in the low 60s and low 50s. By Thanksgiving Day, Maryland faces a 40 percent chance of showers with high temperatures in the upper 40s.

"A new storm packing the potential for accumulating snow is set to take shape across the eastern half of the nation on Thanksgiving and Black Friday that could result in widespread disruptions for travel and holiday festivities," AccuWeather warned in an update Friday.

Even if the cold air out of Canada is slow to advance southward as far as the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic region, any drenching rain accompanied by blustery winds that may impact the region could still prove challenging for Thanksgiving Day parades and those heading driving to family dinner.

Depending upon how the storm takes shape, winds spanning from the Tennessee Valley to the Virginia coastline could gust upwards of 20 mph later next week. That will cause problems for New York City or Philadelphia, which host major parades with large balloons, AccuWeather said.

Travel Outlook For Highways, Airports

AAA said Monday that about 80 million people will travel 50 miles or more from their homes over the Thanksgiving travel period. This year, AAA expanded the Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 travel period by an additional two days to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 28.

This year, 1.7 million more people are expected to travel for Thanksgiving than in 2023. AAA expects travel to be up across the board, from driving to flying to cruising.

“Thanksgiving is traditionally a favorite time for Americans to reconnect with family and friends and this year is no different,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, DC. “While we have seen record travel volume throughout the year, Thanksgiving is usually the busiest and here in Maryland, we are seeing increases across the board, especially as it relates to air and travels by alternate modes.”

About 72 million people plan to drive. Gas prices are lower this Thanksgiving season compared to 2023, when the national average for regular gas was $3.26 a gallon. As of Nov. 20, Maryland motorists were paying an average of $3.19 for a gallon of regular gas, according to AAA.
Falling oil prices could push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before the travel period starts, AAA said.

“As families and friends gather to celebrate the holidays and all of the seasonal festivities, I encourage everyone to keep the joyous spirit in their travels by being safe, paying attention, taking your time and being courteous to each other,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.

So far this year, 505 people have died in Maryland roadway crashes – that’s 505 seats that will be empty at Thanksgiving tables across the state.

• Related: Thanksgiving To Go: Here's What Foods You Can Take On An Airplane

The MTA reminds everyone traveling Thanksgiving week that the vast majority of crashes, fatalities and injuries are preventable. These rules of the road will save lives:

• Drive Sober. Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Make a plan for a sober ride home.
• Buckle up. It’s the law. Make sure all passengers, including those in back seats, are using seat belts.
• Slow down. Observe all posted speed limits.
• Pay Attention. Put the phone down. Eliminate all distractions and focus on driving.
• Be patient. Travel during off peak hours and allow extra time for unexpected delays.
• Share the Road. Drivers must look twice for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists
• Move Over. Slow down or move over for all stopped, standing or parked vehicles along the roadside.

When To Avoid DMV Area

The auto club’s transportation data partner, INRIX, suggests staying away from certain metropolitan areas when traffic is the heaviest.

According to the INRIX analysis, Maryland travelers should avoid US-50 East from Washington, D.C., to Annapolis at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to avoid delays of up to an hour. Traffic is expected to be about 120% higher than normal.

The best and worst times to travel over the holiday period are (all times local):

• Monday, Nov. 25: 1-5 p.m., worst travel time; before 11 a.m. best travel time
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: 1-7 p.m., worst travel time; before 10 a.m., best travel time
• Wednesday, Nov. 27: 1-5 p.m., worst travel time; before 10 a.m., best travel time
• Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Friday, Nov 29: 7-10 a.m., worst travel time; after 1 p.m. best travel time
• Saturday, Nov. 30: 4-8 p.m., worst travel time; before 1 p.m., best travel time
• Sunday, Dec. 1: noon-6 p.m., worst travel time; before 1 p.m., best travel time
• Monday, Dec. 2: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., worst travel time; before 8 a.m. after 7 p.m., best travel times

Bay Bridge traffic can put a damper on the holiday mood. Drivers are encouraged to avoid peak congestion by traveling during the following times.

Eastbound:

• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – before noon and after 8 p.m.;
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Friday, Nov. 29 – before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Westbound:

• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

I-95 (JFK Memorial Highway and Fort McHenry Tunnel) best times to travel include:

• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – before noon and after 11 p.m.;
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.;
• Friday, Nov. 29 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.; and
• Monday, Dec. 2 – before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

The I-95 travel plazas – Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97 and Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82 – are open 24/7 with food, indoor/outdoor seating, fuel and electric vehicle charging stations are available.

For live traffic cameras and real-time roadway conditions across Maryland, go to chart.maryland.gov.

Flying Out Of BWI?

Air travel is expected to set records this year, with about 5.84 million people flying domestically for the holiday, an increase of percent compared to last year and 11 percent over 2019.

“We know that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and we are working with our partners to provide passengers with a convenient, efficient travel experience,” said Ricky Smith, executive director/CEO of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Airport passengers are reminded to give themselves plenty of time for parking, airline ticketing and the TSA security screening process. Holiday travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of their scheduled departure. Drivers should use the airport’s upper-level roadway, or departures level, to avoid traffic congestion when dropping off or picking up passengers.

People who are flying out of or expecting guests to fly into BWI Airport should prepare for long lines. A separate report, Hopper’s 2024 Thanksgiving Outlook & Busiest Airports, said the busiest day for air travel will be Sunday, Dec. 1 while the least busy days will be Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday on Nov. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 3.

It’s a good idea to check a flight-tracking service such as FlightAware to see if flights are running on time before leaving for the airport. If flying out of BWI, BWIairport.com provides real-time parking and security checkpoint information. Passengers are reminded to pack carefully and to check the TSA’s website – TSA.gov – for information about what items are allowed and not allowed through the security checkpoints.

The forecast also noted a 23 percent increase in international flight bookings, compared to last year, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5 percent. On domestic flights, travelers are paying about 3 percent more.