There is a high probability that both New York City, as well as D.C., will have a white Thanksgiving. This would be only the second time since 1938 that residents have looked out over snow while eating a Thanksgiving meal. USA Today meteorologist Ben Noll said to expect a strong storm .
“The storm should rapidly strengthen off the coast of New England on Wednesday night, leading to strong and gusty winds, especially near the coast.”
Though starting as rain, USA Today says the precipitation will turn to snow during the latter part of Wednesday, impacting all the big cities along Interstate 95 including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston. The storm is forecast to spread as much as 6 inches of snow across the northern parts of New York City. Washington D.C. could see up to 3 inches of snow fall. According to the National Weather Service Meteorologist David Stark, Thanksgiving Day should see clearing weather.
“It is going to be all snow for a good chunk of the afternoon and early evening, not ending until midnight.”
The National Weather Service says the changing weather will adversely affect holiday travel on Wednesday, the busiest holiday travel day of the year. For air travelers, Wednesday is going to be a day when patience is needed. “Whether the major East Coast airports see rain or snow, travel is likely to be snarled,” said Weather Channel meteorologist Nick Wiltgen.
There will be about 2.27 million passengers traveling in the air on Wednesday, according to Victoria Day, a spokeswoman with Airlines for America. Some airlines, including American, Delta and United, are waiving rebooking fees to some of the major cities being affected by the storm. This was reportedly done as an incentive for passengers to travel on Tuesday or Thursday instead.
Thanksgiving Day travelers taking road trips of more than 50 miles during the Thanksgiving holiday will be the highest since before the Great Recession, according to the Automobile Association of America. The prediction of more than 41 million highway travelers has been attributed to an improved economy and “continued optimism from the consumer,” according to AAA.
Once travelers reach their destinations, it seems the ever-changing weather could still add interest. Because, while temperatures soared into the 70s as far north as New Jersey on Monday, the East Coast will again experience drastic changes in temperatures throughout this holiday week. Warming temperatures on Thanksgiving Day will likely clear most of the snow away in New York City but a cold front will move in Friday, plunging the temperatures into the 20s for the city’s hectic shopping day.
For travelers, shoppers or just those enjoying a good turkey dinner, the weather will likely make this Thanksgiving holiday one for the record books.
[Image via Getty Images]