Thanksgiving travel can be stressful enough without having to worry about the weather, and this year’s late-November forecast could bring a little bit of everything depending on where you’re headed. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill reports that November’s weather patterns are expected to vary quite a bit across the country. While several regions are forecast to receive less precipitation than usual, there are also areas where rain and mountain snow could become more common.
Some parts of the country could be dealing with rain, while others may have a chance of seeing snow as the holiday approaches. If you’re planning to hit the road, visit family or spend the long weekend somewhere new, it’s worth keeping an eye on how conditions could develop.
Rain Could Affect Parts of the South, While the West Sees Storms
If your Thanksgiving plans take you through eastern Texas or the Southeast, rain could be something to keep in mind. According to Merrill’s research, expect above-average rainfall across eastern Texas, the Southeast, northern and central Florida, the Carolinas and the southern Mid-Atlantic during November.
The forecast also suggests that some areas could experience flooding, particularly during the middle to latter part of the month. That could make checking local conditions especially important for anyone traveling through these regions as the holiday gets closer.
California could have a different kind of unsettled weather. Much of the state, apart from the far southern portion, is expected to receive more rain than usual, with Pacific storms forecast to move in during the first week of November. The Southwest and central Rockies could also see above-average precipitation, including mountain snowfall.
For those heading to the mountains, the changing conditions could bring a more wintry feel to the trip. However, the forecast doesn’t mean every destination in the West will experience the same weather, so checking conditions along your specific route will be important.
Could Snow Make an Appearance Around Thanksgiving?
The Great Lakes and interior Northeast are two areas to watch as Thanksgiving approaches. The outlook points to a possible snow event in parts of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast later in the month.
Basically, although Merrill expects below-average rainfall and snowfall across much of the Great Lakes and Northeast during November, the report points to a chance of a snow event later in the month, closer to the holiday.
Snow is expected to be limited rather than widespread, and that’s in agreement with the National Weather Service’s data, too. Higher elevations of the Adirondacks and Green and White Mountains could see wet snow, along with a few spots in the eastern Great Lakes. For the rest of the Northeast, rain is expected to be more likely. The Mountain West could also see snow during the latter part of November, adding another area to watch for those planning a mountain getaway.
Merrill’s report also gives insight into what weather to expect in every state. According to the report, Thanksgiving weather could bring rain to California, the Southwest, central Rockies, eastern Texas, Florida, the Southeast, Carolinas and southern Mid-Atlantic. The Northwest, northern Rockies, Dakotas, Upper Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and Northeast are expected to see less precipitation overall, though parts of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast could get wet snow near Thanksgiving. The Mountain West could also see snow later in November. These are general trends, of course, so conditions may vary by location.
Overall, Merrill’s outlook suggests that Thanksgiving weather could look very different depending on where you’re spending the holiday. These are broad November trends rather than a day-by-day Thanksgiving forecast, so checking for updates closer to your travel dates will be the best way to know what to expect.
