Hazardous Weather Conditions: What's the Thanksgiving Travel Forecast?

Nearly 50 million Americans are expected to travel for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. After a weekend of hazardous driving conditions in many parts of the country brought on by the first major storm of the season, Winter Storm Argos, many might be feeling reticent about their upcoming journeys.

But how is the weather forecast looking for the week so far?

While overall conditions will be less snowy than they have been in recent days, several storms could cause trouble for travelers across the country with rain, ice and fog.

According to AccuWeather, many airports in the Midwest could be delayed, even if they avoid accumulating any more snow. Fliers in Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh should look out for delays caused by low clouds and heavy fog that is likely to accompany the cold-weather storm already brewing over the Rockies.

This weather can make for treacherous driving conditions, too.

Forecasters also expect trouble for residents of the Northwest. Heavy rain is expected Tuesday evening in Seattle, Portland and Medford, Oregon, which could lead to travel delays and hazardous roads.

Most of New England, much of which is already suffering under heavy snow, frigid temperatures and strong winds from Winter Storm Argos, should see improved conditions by Wednesday and Thursday of this week, when people are most likely to travel. Massachusetts will remain under a wind advisory for 40 to 50 mph strong gusts until 10 p.m. Monday night.

Some rain is expected in western regions of New York and Pennsylvania in midweek. These conditions could lead to icy roads, if temperatures drop low enough.

The new storm front appears to be brewing for the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains comes just after these regions were hit hard by Argos, which left freezing temperatures, mounds of snow, power outages and hazardous driving conditions in its wake. Michigan alone has already seen more than a foot of snow, which led to hundreds of crashes and two deaths.

However, this upcoming storm appears to be less severe than Argos, according to the Weather Channel. It will bring a mix of rain, snow and ice.

The storm is expected to move east through the week, remaining over Colorado, Utah and Wyoming on Monday before pushing into the northern Midwest and eventually the Northeast as the week goes on.

By Wednesday, the wet snow will push into Michigan, Wisconsin and areas in Minnesota. Farther south, including Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, should expect cold rain just before Thanksgiving.

At Chicago's O'Hare airport, which is expected to be the busiest airport of the holiday, workers decided to forestall a work stoppage until after Thanksgiving weekend in a generous nod to travelers. With any luck, the forthcoming storms will also be gracious enough to allow for easy air travel.

According to the Weather Channel, the areas in the Great Lakes region have a decent chance of having a snow-covered Thanksgiving Day.

If you are planning on taking to the skies to visit (or escape) family, make sure to brush up on the TSA's tips for travelers.

Photo credit: Jenni Jones via Wikimedia Commons