According to AAA, more Americans will travel for Thanksgiving this year than ever before. Whether you're flying or driving, the weather could impact your trip. Here's what to expect across the country this week.

What You Need To Know

  • Heavy snow is possible for parts of the interior Northeast

  • Rain is more likely across the coastal Northeast

  • Colder air fills in east of the Rockies late this week

Here are the weather highlights for Thanksgiving travelers this week. 

A more detailed forecast for each day can be found below.

Thanksgiving Day

If you’re saving your travel for today, an active pattern is set up across the Northeast with a winter storm bringing rain and heavy snow to the interior Northeast. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect across parts of Upstate New York and New England with up to 6 to 8 inches of snow possible through this evening and tonight.

The highest potential for heavy snow will be for parts of Maine and New York State, especially in the higher elevations. 

A few strong to severe storms are also possible across the Southeast today. A level 1/5 threat is issued for parts of the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas with a passing cold front bringing some thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and a tornado or two.

Temperatures will be colder than normal east of the Rockies on Thanksgiving, except for the Southeast. The Western U.S. is looking at drier weather and favorable travel conditions.

Friday

Cold westerly flow and leftover moisture will lead to some heavy lake-effect snow on Friday and into this weekend as the low pressure system moves offshore. It could impact travel plans for those around the Great Lakes, especially in northeast Ohio, western and central New York.

Lake-Effect Snow Warnings are in effect off the eastern shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Up to 2 to 3 feet of snow is possible through this weekend.

High pressure should build into the Central U.S., keeping most of the Midwest and Southeast dry and chilly as below normal temperatures settle in Friday through the weekend.

Out west, weather conditions stay dry and quiet with no active weather expected.

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