It is predicted that approximately 54.6 million travelers nationwide will be returning home from trips to loved ones’ houses for Thanksgiving. Given the pandemic conditions of the last three years, traffic is expected to pick up the most this Thanksgiving 2022, like the pre-COVID-19 outbreak in 2019.
“It’s back to normal on the roadways; when it comes to traffic, it feels like it was before the pandemic.” Schiel-Drop told WBZ News.
On the other hand, weather complications such as heavy rain and thunderstorms in the South and snow in the Pacific Northwest can add to the chaos of busy road or air traffic schedules for travelers returning to their hometowns.
“A storm lifting northward toward the Great Lakes will bring periods of rain and gusty winds for the eastern third of the country today. For the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, accumulating snow and strong winds will make for hazardous traveling conditions through tonight.” Says the National Weather Service.
On Sunday morning, November 27, 2022, the National Weather Service predicts heavy rain over the western and central Gulf Coasts that could lead to localized flooding. Until a day ago, there was no news or warning of such catastrophic climate change events in most parts of the country.
“Showers with embedded storms have overspread areas west of the Alabama River. Strong to severe storms remain possible, mainly over coastal counties, thru tonight. Main threats: damaging winds, heavy rain/nuisance flooding, & a tornado or two.” NWS updated on Twitter.
Although several severe weather events in coastal areas of Louisiana and Mississippi were predicted, for example, the presence of strong winds and tornadoes on Saturday, November 26, 2022, however, by Sunday morning, those damaging showers are expected to spread from Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Areas to Ohio, Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, western Georgia, and the central Appalachians. According to AccuWeather’s weather reports.
Heavy rain is expected in parts of Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas for Thanksgiving weekend. Another surge will likely hit in the Lone Star State, which isn’t helping the current post-Thanksgiving traffic mess.
More damaging results from the continued rain are predicted for areas from Southeast Texas to the Southwest, where one to four inches of rain has fallen since Thanksgiving Day this Friday, November 25, 2022.
The Pacific Northwest states of Washington, the Cascades, and parts of Oregon are expected to see up to 6 inches of snow and the effects of a winter storm warning, creating hazardous travel conditions through Monday, November 28, 2022.
“There is >90% chance for at least 6″ of snow falling in the Cascades Sunday – Sunday night. There remains some uncertainty when conditions will be at their worst, but the bottom line is that it will be much snowier Sunday than Saturday in the Cascades.” NWS updated on Twitter.
Therefore, the National Weather Service has issued warnings and safety measures to prevent any tragic accident or mishap. “Mountain passes will be particularly hard hit by this storm. If you must travel, have a winter preparedness kit and be sure to check the latest road conditions before venturing out!” it says.
