As millions of Americans embarked on their Thanksgiving journeys, many encountered severe weather conditions that disrupted air and road travel across the country.
A massive storm system brought a mix of rain, snow, and icy conditions, stretching from the Rockies to the Northeast, posing challenges for travelers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
This year’s Thanksgiving travel season was poised to set records. An estimated 71.7 million Americans planned to drive to their destinations, over a million more than last year. Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected nearly 3 million travelers would pass through airport security on Wednesday alone. However, Mother Nature had other plans.
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❄ The Storm’s Path: From the Rockies to the Northeast
The storm began in the Rockies on Wednesday, delivering heavy snow and cold conditions that slowed travel significantly. By afternoon, it moved eastward, impacting cities in the Midwest like St. Louis and Indianapolis with rain, sleet, and snow. As Thanksgiving approached, the storm tracked further east, bringing heavy rains to the I-95 corridor from Richmond to Boston, and snow to interior regions of the Northeast.
In New England and upstate New York, snowfall totals ranged from 1 to 6 inches, with the highest amounts accumulating on mountain peaks. Cities like Denver faced over 600 flight delays as snow and ice forced crews to deice planes. Boston, Dallas, and Las Vegas were also hit with triple-digit delays, highlighting the nationwide ripple effects of the storm.
Rain Dampens the East Coast
East Coast cities such as New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., experienced cold, soaking rains, making road conditions hazardous. Interstate highways like I-95, I-80, and I-75 were heavily affected, with slick conditions posing risks to drivers. Thanksgiving Day saw up to an inch of rainfall in some areas, while the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade proceeded under rainy skies but relatively mild winds, allowing its famous balloons to fly.
❄ Airports Grapple with Delays and Staffing Shortages
The storm’s timing could not have been worse for airlines and travelers. FlightAware, a flight-tracking platform, reported nearly 4,000 delays and 45 cancellations by Wednesday evening. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey implemented a ground delay program due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, leading to delays of up to 95 minutes for some flights. Similar issues plagued airports in Denver and Salt Lake City, where snowy conditions added to the chaos.
American Airlines, which operated nearly 6,400 flights on Tuesday alone, anticipated more than 650,000 passengers on Wednesday. Despite best efforts, the weather created widespread disruptions. Tampa International Airport faced fog-induced delays, while Los Angeles and Seattle dealt with low ceilings that impacted flight schedules.
For many, reaching their Thanksgiving destinations meant enduring long wait times and uncertainty. However, as the storm moved out of New England by Friday, conditions were expected to normalize, offering some reprieve for returning travelers.
❄ Challenges for Drivers: Snow, Ice, and Flooded Roads
Road travel, while more flexible than air travel, was not spared from the storm’s wrath. Popular highways, including I-80 in the Midwest and I-70 in the Rockies, were plagued by snow, while rain created hazardous conditions on I-95 from Virginia to Maine. Thanksgiving Day brought especially challenging conditions for drivers in the Northeast, where wet snow, icy patches, and wind gusts combined to make travel treacherous.
Snow and Power Outages in the Northeast
Interior regions of the Northeast and New England bore the brunt of the storm’s snow accumulation. From northeast Pennsylvania to New Hampshire, areas received 3 to 6 inches of snow, with localized totals exceeding that in some mountainous regions. High winds exacerbated the situation, raising the risk of power outages across affected areas.
The combination of snow, rain, and freezing temperatures left many roadways slick and dangerous, causing authorities to urge travelers to exercise caution. By Sunday, the storm’s effects were expected to subside, but not before leaving a trail of challenging conditions for millions of holiday travelers.
❄ Airport Parking Lots: A Surprising Hotspot for Crime
While many focused on navigating weather-related travel disruptions, another issue loomed for those leaving their cars in airport parking lots: vehicle theft. Authorities reported a sharp rise in car thefts from airport lots this year, with some airports witnessing a near-tripling of incidents.
Atlanta’s Alarming Trend
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest, reported over 300 vehicle thefts in 2023, a stark increase from the previous year. Thieves used sophisticated methods, such as reprogramming key fobs, to steal cars. In response, Atlanta police bolstered security measures, adding surveillance cameras, motorcycle patrols, and enhanced fencing to its 30,000 parking spaces.
A Nationwide Problem
Other airports, including Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), faced similar challenges. At DFW, police arrested the ringleader of a multi-state car theft operation last month after more than 50 vehicles were stolen. These incidents underscore the importance of heightened security measures and vigilance from travelers.
Travelers like Katy, who returned from a trip to Columbus International Airport to find her car stolen, expressed disbelief and frustration. While her vehicle was eventually recovered, it had been stripped of valuable parts, leading her to call for increased security at airports nationwide.
🔻What’s Next for Travelers?
As the Thanksgiving holiday concludes, millions will hit the roads and skies once again to return home. Sunday is traditionally the busiest travel day of the holiday week, and this year is expected to be no different. The TSA projects nearly 3 million travelers to pass through airport security on Sunday, nearing a record set earlier this year.
Weather Outlook
While the storm will have moved out of New England by Friday, lingering cold winds and lake effect snow are forecast to impact the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast through Sunday. Cities like Chicago and Detroit could face flight delays, while the East and West Coasts are expected to enjoy relatively favorable travel conditions.
For road travelers, bitter cold temperatures will grip the northern Plains and upper Midwest, with highs in the 20s and lows in the single digits over the weekend. Cities like Chicago and Minneapolis will experience some of the coldest conditions, while Washington, D.C., and New York City will see milder temperatures in the 40s and 50s.
