WASHINGTON — It’s hard to believe that this is Thanksgiving week, after a somewhat mild autumn. Perhaps Monday and Tuesday mornings acted as reminders that we are headed into winter, whether we like it or not. The good news for Thanksgiving is, it looks dry and quite pleasant up and down the East Coast. But if you’re hopping in a plane and headed west, there could be a few problem spots.
D.C., Maryland & Virginia, West Virginia
Looking fantastic if you’re traveling around the region, thanks to high pressure taking charge. It will be a little chilly during the day on Wednesday, with temperatures only topping out in the 50s, but we will have plenty of sunshine for your travels!
New England (Northeast)
There could be some lake-effect snow showers on Tuesday through portions of western New York. Otherwise, high pressure will again take charge, bringing plenty of sunshine for Wednesday and into Thanksgiving, with temperatures topping out above normal for a lot of that region. Nothing to worry about expect for some traffic!
Richmond and south through Florida (Southeast)
Strong high pressure will continue to build off the East Coast and eventually float up toward New England, and it will have a strong hold from central Virginia; Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Memphis, south through Atlanta and Tampa! Expect sunshine to continue Tuesday and Wednesday in these locations, with no worries about the weather.
Southern Plains
A few features will float out of the west, bringing increased rain chances to the southern plains through the day on Wednesday with precipitation likely by Thanksgiving. Expect rain chances to increase through the day in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri.
Northern Plains
Expect some light snow through portions of the Dakotas on Wednesday, with a little bit of a breeze. Heavier snow is more likely through western Montana and into northern Idaho, where Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are already in place for Wednesday into Thanksgiving.
Great Lakes region
Rain chances will increase through the day as a cold front nears the region on Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night, especially for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois (including Chicago). Further east, rain should hold off through Indiana until Thanksgiving afternoon.
Pacific Northwest (San Francisco to Washington state)
Not too shabby after some rain lasting into Tuesday. High pressure will build in over the Pacific Northwest for midweek, making for wonderful conditions with plenty of sunshine for Wednesday into Thanksgiving.
Southwest through Colorado, Utah and Nevada
Looking excellent, with sunshine on Wednesday for Arizona and New Mexico, but chances of snow will increase on Wednesday through Colorado, Utah and Nevada as a cold front slips to the south. Remember that most of the higher elevations in Nevada are already looking at snow for much of the week (whoo-hoo skiers!), but if you are headed to Denver, Reno or Salt Lake City, you might want to keep an eye on the forecast for Wednesday into Thursday.
Southern California
Believe it or not, there are some small rain chances, with much cooler conditions, for San Diego and Los Angeles! Temperatures will hold in the upper 50s and low 60s for Southern California on Wednesday with some rain chances as a cold front slides south.
