Potent Coast-to-Coast Storm Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel, Arctic Blast Forecast for Thursday

A weather warning sign on the Cross Island Parkway in New York

If you’re planning to travel over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, or anywhere else for that matter, you will not only be accompanied by numerous other travelers, but Mother Nature will be along for much of the journey as well.

The National Weather Service said that “(an) arctic blast (is) set to arrive on Thanksgiving,” accompanied by dangerous wind chills, lake-effect snow, and severe thunderstorms in some areas.

“A significant arctic outbreak will arrive in the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Thanksgiving into Friday and advance farther south and east through much of the Plains and Midwest this weekend,” the NWS said. “Dangerous wind chill temperatures are expected with a significant long duration lake effect snow event possible downwind of the Great Lakes. Severe thunderstorms may be possible in the Southeast.”

The agency also issued warnings for 13 states, namely Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Vermont, Michigan, Alaska, New York, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. National Weather Service meteorologists in Buffalo issued a warning that a warning that an incoming winter storm could produce lake-effect snow significant enough to result in the closure of several major highways in the Empire State. This includes Interstates 81 and 86,

In addition, a powerful winter storm is moving coast to coast and has the potential to snarl travel just as people begin their journeys to family and friends.

The week through Wednesday will include storm systems bringing heavy rain and mountain snow in the West, while the eastern half of the country will see rain, freezing rain, and snow, depending on where you are.

Travelers will still not be in the clear after that, as a major winter storm that could significantly impact travel within, into, and out of the Northeast is currently forming, and could have the greatest impact after the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, as people prepare to journey home.

Meanwhile, in England, there is the potential for more flooding after Storm Bert caused major travel delays on Monday, having brought strong winds, ice, snow, and heavy rain. A small and quick-moving storm will bring more rain back into England and Wales from Tuesday night into Wednesday. At least four deaths have been attributed to Bert.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)