Thanksgiving Day travel was rocked by both heavy rain and even snowfall in some spots, leaving last-minute commuters trapped in traffic or stuck inside packed airports as the holiday rush turned chaotic.
A high-impact winter storm moved over the northeast early Thursday, dumping snow on parts of upstate New York and northern New England, where winter weather alerts are in effect for about 3 million people.
The city — where temperatures are expected to peak in the high 40s — was meanwhile, drenched with rain, as was the rest of the tristate area.
The relentless precipitation is expected to persist throughout the day and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. And while the gloomy conditions did not stop the millions of poncho-clad people from enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the same could not be said for those battling the elements in a bid to get home in time for dinner.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, more than 700 flights into or out of the United States were delayed on Thursday and another 420 were canceled. The wintry weather also made travel messy on the ground, leaving roads and interstates slick with slush.
Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to use caution if they’d not yet reached their Thanksgiving Day destination.
“As we gather this Thanksgiving, I encourage all New Yorkers to remain vigilant, keep an eye on local weather updates, and take precautions while traveling to join family and friends this holiday weekend,” she said in a statement. “If you are traveling, please plan ahead, and prioritize safety — for yourself and others — so we can all enjoy this holiday with our loved ones safely and comfortably.”
The wet weather is expected come to an end in New York between 5 and 6 p.m., NWS predicted, only to be followed up by a frigid blast, which is forecast to chill out much of the northern and central U.S.
“The first significant Arctic outbreak of the season arrives in the northern Plains on Thanksgiving,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said. “The cold will advance farther south and east through much of the Plains and Midwest on Friday and stick around through the weekend.”
Parts of New York State, including Buffalo and Watertown, could also see up to 6 to 18 inches of snow and wind speeds of 35 mph.
A prolonged lake effect snow event will unfold through early next week. To start, here are the travel impacts through Friday. Travel conditions will worsen Friday night through the weekend as multiple feet of lake effect snow accumulates. #nywx pic.twitter.com/psCkQ2kzbf
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) November 27, 2024
“Travel will be very difficult to impossible within the heaviest portion of the band,” said the NSW warning. “The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.”
The National Weather Service in response has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties in New York starting Friday at 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday.
