Janice R. Andrews
As millions gear up for Thanksgiving travel, two major storm systems—one being a bomb cyclone—are expected to disrupt plans across the U.S. with high winds, heavy rain, and significant snowfall.
West Coast Braces for Bomb Cyclone
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for a “rapidly strengthening low-pressure system,” known as a bomb cyclone, set to impact Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The storm could bring wind gusts up to 70 mph and heavy rain, with blizzard conditions forecast for the Washington Cascades due to substantial snowfall at higher elevations.
The storm will also spark an “atmospheric river event” on Wednesday, delivering prolonged rain and snow across the region.
Midwest Prepares for Snow and Arctic Conditions
A second storm system, which produced severe thunderstorms and a tornado in Oklahoma on Monday, will collide with arctic air as it moves north. This collision will bring widespread snowfall across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on Tuesday and Wednesday, with up to a foot of snow possible in parts of North Dakota. Strong winds may create poor visibility and dangerous driving conditions.
Additionally, an upper-level low-pressure system developing over the Great Lakes later this week will result in colder temperatures, rain from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast, and accumulating snow in the central Appalachians and parts of the Northeast. Areas in West Virginia and Maryland could see up to a foot of snow by Thursday and Friday.
Thanksgiving Travel Impact
While detailed Thanksgiving Day forecasts are not yet available, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center indicates above-average chances of rain for the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Great Lakes early next week.
With nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel over 50 miles for Thanksgiving, Tuesday and Wednesday are likely to be the busiest travel days. Weather officials urge travelers to monitor local forecasts and adjust plans accordingly to avoid delays and hazards.
Stay updated for further developments as these storms progress.
