Storms could throw a wrinkle in Thanksgiving travel

Back-to-back storms could complicate Thanksgiving travel plans, with more Americans expected on the highways and airports this year than last year.

“Buckle up, we’re looking at a stormy pattern for Thanksgiving week,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said in a release. “Some wet and wintry weather could slow down families traveling ahead of Thanksgiving

“We expect some rain in the center of country and thunderstorms along the Gulf coast on Thanksgiving Day. Cold rain and snow showers are in the forecast for parts of the interior Northwest and Four Corners region,” Pastelok added. “Black Friday shoppers and families driving home after Thanksgiving could be dealing with rain and showers from the Gulf Coast and throughout much of the East Coast.”

AccuWeather long-range experts forecast turbulent weather across the United States next week, with multiple storms tracking coast to coast. Early travelers could encounter trouble this weekend, with rain and mountain snow clobbering parts of the West Coast and a slow-moving storm impacting the Northeast with gusty winds and a mix of rain and snow showers.

AccuWeather long-range experts say wet and slippery conditions could impact travel plans next Tuesday and Wednesday, which are expected to be the busiest travel days of the week.

AAA expects holiday travel records to be shattered this Thanksgiving, with an estimated 79.9 million Americans traveling over the holiday.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a release.

“With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea, travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals,” Haas added. “AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which compensates for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”