x
Breaking News
More () »

Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's the forecast across the nation

An unusually quiet stretch of weather is ahead, but there will be some activity in a few parts of the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The busiest travel week of the year in the United States is here, and it looks like weather across the country will mostly cooperate this time. 

Some ups and downs in the temperature department are expected, but the risk for any major rain or snow seems generally slim.

Midwest

Across the Midwest, tranquil weather is anticipated with unseasonably mild temperatures for both Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Thanksgiving Day will be cold for the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes, though, as a strong cold front moves in from the north.

This front may bring some snow showers to the Dakotas and northern Minnesota/Wisconsin ahead of the holiday. 

Some lake effect snow is possible in the Great Lakes and northeast by Thanksgiving Day and Friday.

RELATED: Central Iowa Forecast | Quiet week for Thanksgiving travelers

Northeast

The same system will be responsible for some colder weather near Thanksgiving in the northeast, along with gusty winds and a risk for some wet weather in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

Coastal areas should see mainly rain, while upstate New York and New England can expect some snow. 

RELATED: Vaccine mandate for federal workers goes into effect Monday

Mid-South & Southeast

A cold front moving out of the Midwest will spark a chance for rain and maybe even a few thunderstorms for Thanksgiving Day in the Mid-South and Ohio River Valley.

A line of rainfall may extend from Ohio and Indiana down to south Texas, including cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Memphis and Austin on Thursday. 

West

In the west, snow is expected in higher elevations across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Rain is possible in the Pacific Northwest towards the end of the week, bringing some wet weather for cities like Seattle and Portland, Oregon. 

While there will be some precipitation in select spots over the Thanksgiving holiday, the forecast is looking rather quiet compared to many years past.

RELATED: This is your reminder to start thawing your Thanksgiving turkey

Download the We Are Iowa app
Sign up for Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter
Subscribe to Local 5 News on YouTube

Learn more about the science of weather by watching Local 5 Weather Lab videos on YouTube

Before You Leave, Check This Out