By Anna SkinnerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWinter storms could hit numerous states on Thanksgiving, with National Weather Service (NWS) alerts already in place warning of heavy snow and hazardous holiday travel.
"Weather is the leading cause of delays and cancellations," a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The weather alerts comes as nearly 82 million Americans plan to travel more than 50 miles from home this week for Thanksgiving. It highlights the importance of immediate weather forecasts for travelers, as heavy snow can disrupt plans and set off dangerous travel.
...What to Know
With some people bound to travel on Thanksgiving, the alerts are in place to warn them or treacherous travel conditions.
Which States Are Getting Snow?
As of a recent forecast from the NWS, winter weather conditions are expected to begin on or persist through Thursday for Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont.
In Minnesota and Michigan, a blizzard warning will remain in place through Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, the storms delayed or cancelled more than 1,000 flights around the U.S., and although most air travelers have likely arrived at their destinations by Thursday, the winter weather could disrupt the paths of travelers arriving by car.
"Travel conditions will be challenging across the northern Plains, Great Lakes and east coast through Thanksgiving holiday weekend," the NWS said in a Wednesday forecast.
For areas under the winter weather advisories, most forecasts expected a few inches of snow. Amounts are much higher for those under lake effect snow warnings, with the NWS offices in Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, warning of up to 20 inches of snow.
"During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions," NWS Cleveland said in the warning.
Winter weather advisories are in place for the states, warning of heavy snow, and in some areas, lake-effect snow warnings will also be in place on Thanksgiving, namely in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York near the Great Lakes waters. Lake effect snow occurs when cooler air moves over warm lake waters, creating a moisture-laden storm known for dumping heavy snow.
What People Are Saying
NWS Green Bay, Wisconsin, in a winter weather advisory: "Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the afternoon commute, and travel across the region. Isolated power outages are possible."
NWS Marquette, Michigan, in a blizzard warning: "Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. ... Strong winds could cause tree damage."
What Happens Next
People in the Northern Plains and Great Lakes regions should monitor local weather forecasts, especially if they plan to drive on Thursday to arrive at holiday celebrations. NWS meteorologists will update weather forecasts as needed as the winter storms evolve.
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