Potentially severe storms could hit the east coast of the United States with rain and snow during the traditionally sweltering week of travel before Thanksgiving weekend. It falls on the last Thursday in November.
It is expected that 53 million Americans will go on vacation this year. Some will leave on Friday. Everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, regardless of religion. Lots of people come from companies or take Friday off and have the longest weekend of the year that way.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) advises the 4.2 million Americans traveling to visit their loved ones this year by plane to prepare for long lines and book extra time for an airport check.
CNN reported Wednesday that “severe storms could disrupt travel plans in the Midwest to the Northeast during one of the busiest flights of the year. As early as next week, there could be disruptions in major hubs like Chicago and New York.”
Citing CNN’s forecast, she explained that the storm system could begin to develop as early as Sunday in the Midwest and increase daily. By the time we get close to the East Coast on Tuesday, a minor system may be developing. This will worsen weather conditions in areas like New York City. Heavy rain or snow and strong winds are likely.
“Although there is still some time until the end of the week and forecasts may change, it appears that storms will affect conditions for travel by planes, trains and cars,” CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said.
The only “good news” CNN found is that computer prediction models don’t always work, especially not up to one week in advance. Meteorologists’ forecasts released next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night may be different from today’s forecast.
“Even if the storms subside next Wednesday, airlines could experience a significant number of canceled flights, planes and crew members in the wrong places,” Myers warns.
Andrei Dobroolsky from New York
