Summary
- Severe weather across the US East Coast could disrupt flights this week, amid the Thanksgiving holiday.
- The TSA expects over 30 million passengers to fly during the busy holiday period.
- Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport early and anticipate longer wait times.
Severe weather tracking across the East Coast will likely cause flight disruptions this week, one of the busiest travel periods in the year. Millions of people from the lower Mississippi Valley to the mid-Atlantic will see thunderstorms from Tuesday through Wednesday, while snow is in the forecast for portions of the interior Northeast and New England.
Meteorologists expect that the heaviest rain will be concentrated between New York and Washington, along the Interstate 95 corridor. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines have already issued travel advisories, alerting travelers of potential impacts.
Preparing for delays and cancelations
It comes as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recorded an increase in passengers passing through checkpoints compared to the same period last year. According to Yahoo, the bulk of Thanksgiving travel will be on the road, with around 49 million drivers expected between November 22-26. While the numbers are reportedly up 1.7% from 2022, several million are still expected to travel by air.
Photo: Federal Aviation Administration
The TSA anticipates that over 30 million passengers will take to the skies during the 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period from November 17-28, with the busiest days on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday afterward. The Federal Aviation Administration said delays at some airports are likely due to the weather conditions, according to Yahoo.
Travel tips and advisories
Late Tuesday, the agency shared five tips to help travelers have a smooth journey.
Southwest reminded passengers on its website to arrive at the airport “at least 2 hours early” and “plan for longer wait times for all airport and Southwest services.” American, which expects to carry nearly 8 million travelers through next Tuesday, will allow passengers to change their itineraries with no fee in the event of flight disruptions outside the airline’s control.
“When severe weather or other uncontrollable events impact your flight and travel dates, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee,” the carrier said on its website. “We understand you may have questions about your upcoming travel. We’re working around the clock to care for you on your travel journey.”
Photo: HMBSoFL Photography | Shutterstock
According to FlightAware, more than 13,000 flights were delayed on Tuesday within the US, and over 600 were canceled. Gusty winds and rain affected Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and the area airports of Washington DC and New York City, NBC News reported.
Getting through the storm
On Wednesday, forecasters expect most of the storm system to clear out of the East Coast by midday. Lingering showers and winds along the I-95 corridor could be possible in the morning. In the Northeast, heavy snow and wind will last for the remainder of the day before the entire system moves offshore by midnight. As much as half a foot of snow could cover parts of New England throughout the event, while isolated totals could reportedly reach up to eight inches in higher elevations in New Hampshire and Maine.
Pleasant weather is in the forecast for much of the region on Thanksgiving Day. Temperatures will be in the mid-40s with mostly sunny skies for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Winds are forecasted to be around 15 mph, which is below the threshold, allowing the balloons to fly without any issues, according to NBC News.
Sources: Yahoo, FlightAware, NBC News