Winter weather advisories issued as 80 million Americans prepare for thanksgiving travel

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of winter weather advisories across the United States as an estimated 80 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow.

The holiday travel rush comes as parts of the country are set to experience some of the coldest temperatures since February, following a relatively mild fall.

Incoming Storms Could Disrupt Travel

As of Wednesday, multiple states and territories have been warned about severe weather that could impact both road and air travel. The NWS predicts that a storm system will begin to form this afternoon over the Plains and Mississippi Valley before moving east toward the central U.S. and the Appalachians tonight. Rain and snow are expected to hit parts of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York later today and into Thanksgiving morning.

"The storm system is expected to bring a mix of rain and snow to these regions, which could make travel difficult," the NWS said in a statement. "Motorists should be prepared for icy roads and reduced visibility, particularly in higher elevations."

Thanksgiving travel amid strike action at Charlotte Airport

Meanwhile, workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina have gone on strike, coinciding with the airport's record levels of holiday traffic. The airport is one of the busiest in the U.S., and the strike could cause additional disruptions as thousands of travellers head home for the holiday.

The NWS also issued warnings about thunderstorms and heavy rainfall affecting the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valley areas, which are expected to move northeast tonight and into Thanksgiving morning.

Regional forecasts

On the West Coast, dryer conditions are expected after several days of wet weather, though temperatures will remain below average across the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley. The heavy snowfall over the Colorado Rockies is expected to taper off by this morning, but up to 8 inches of snow are forecast for the northern Appalachian Mountains by Friday.

In the South, today's unseasonably warm weather will be the last for a while, with Texas experiencing high temperatures 15 to 25 degrees above average. However, a significant drop in temperatures is expected by the weekend.

What Is a Lake effect snowstorm?

In addition to the storm systems already moving across the country, lake effect snow is expected to affect parts of the Midwest and Northeast following Thanksgiving.

According to AccuWeather, lake effect snow occurs when cold air, typically from Canada, moves across the relatively warmer waters of the Great Lakes. This causes the formation of clouds, which then produce intense snowstorms. "Lake effect snowstorms can bring 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour," the NWS explained.

These storms are common in the Great Lakes region during the fall and winter months. Local residents are often familiar with the phenomenon, which can lead to heavy snowfall in one area while neighbouring areas remain clear. The NWS warns that these localized storms can create hazardous travel conditions, particularly along the shores of the lakes.