Severe Weather Threatens Thanksgiving Travel: Arctic Blast and Lake Effect Snow Impacting Roads
- Motorists on I-89 near Lebanon, N.H., deal with the first snowstorm of the season on Thursday.
- Travelers returning home from Thanksgiving may face severe weather and delays.
- An arctic blast will deliver the coldest air since last winter to the East Coast, according to the National Weather Service.
Motorists on I-89 near Lebanon, N.H., deal with the first snowstorm of the season on Thursday.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Travelers returning home from Thanksgiving may face severe weather and delays.
An arctic blast will deliver the coldest air since last winter to the East Coast, according to the National Weather Service. This cold air will move across the U.S. and linger through the weekend.
The northern Plains will experience single-digit and teen temperatures. The Northeast will see temperatures in the 30s and 40s, while the Midwest will face 20s and 30s. Wind chills may drop below zero in parts of the Midwest and northern Plains, particularly in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
“This will pose an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite on exposed skin,” the NWS stated. Wind chills will remain dangerously low across the Midwest and Northeast.
Lake-effect snow from the Great Lakes will cause hazardous travel conditions. This phenomenon occurs when cold air flows over warmer lake waters, creating snow that can exceed 2 inches per hour.
Southern states will also experience subfreezing temperatures, including frost in northern Florida. These conditions can harm crops and damage unprotected pipes.
Officials in Buffalo, N.Y., warned about poor travel conditions due to lake-effect snow. They advised against traveling in affected areas. Some cities, like Watertown, anticipate up to 6 feet of snowfall.
While winter weather affects many regions, southern Texas and Florida will see rain and thunderstorms. Most other areas are expected to remain dry with typical or above-normal temperatures.
Travel bans are in effect along I-86 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-390, with snow warnings in effect across parts of New York through Monday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to prepare for severe conditions and warned of “hazardous to impossible travel” in certain areas.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advised travelers in heavy snow to limit outdoor time and avoid driving if possible. If driving is necessary, they recommend clearing ice and snow from vehicles, packing an emergency kit, and maintaining a safe distance from other cars.