What is the travel weather looking like ahead of and after Thanksgiving?

Q: What is the best day for traveling – on the road or in the air?

A: You know it’s going to be a busy one out there, but Wednesday is the best day weather-wise to begin traveling. There will be some snow in the Rockies with a storm system that’s in the process of developing. Aside from that, weather worries are kept to a minimum Wednesday.

Q: What is the worst day for traveling?

A: Don’t shoot the messenger, but Thanksgiving Day will feature the worst weather of the week. That’s especially the case in the Eastern U.S.

Yes, that includes our area. The aforementioned system will bring a healthy dose of rain from the Tennessee River Valley eastward.

Q: I’m traveling I-40 and I-95. What can I expect along my route?

A: We’re not expecting many weather issues Tuesday. That said, there will be a brief period of rain late morning into early afternoon along I-95.

That is also the case if you’re going east on I-40.

By Wednesday, the worst weather will be west. Be mindful of that if you’re going on I-40 into Tennessee.

Weather along I-95 shouldn’t be a big issue Wednesday.

Q: How does this affect us locally?

A: It will be wet at times Thanksgiving Day, though the heaviest/most widespread rain in the afternoon and evening. Hopefully, you’re where you need to be by Thanksgiving. If not, just take it easy out there. We don’t expect flooding, but hydroplaning could become an issue.

There is a Level 1 risk of severe weather/damaging gusts, due to the later arrival of rain.

Q: I’m hearing about the possibility of snow. Where will that be?

A: We won’t see snow locally. Surprise, surprise!

However, the farther north you go, the better chance you have.

Here’s a breakdown of the odds of 1”, 3” and 6” of snow in some major northern cities through Friday.

Q: What can we expect if we’re coming home after Thanksgiving?

A: If you plan on flying back to North Carolina Friday or Saturday, expect there to be some turbulence. That’s especially if you’re going to be flying back from the north.

The wind will be wrapping around our Thanksgiving storm system. While it’s nothing extreme, the flight could be a little bumpy at times.

It’s going to turn MUCH colder across the Eastern U.S. the rest of the holiday weekend into early next week as well.