A powerful Thanksgiving snowstorm could bury parts of the Great Lakes region under as much as 3 feet of snow, with AccuWeather meteorologists warning that “some highways may close” just as millions of Americans hit the road for the holiday.
Why It Matters
Nearly 82 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this week for Thanksgiving, many of them by car. With so many travelers on the move, a fast-developing, heavy snow event raises the risk of dangerous road conditions, delays, and disrupted holiday plans.
The storm is unfolding alongside a series of National Weather Service (NWS) alerts, including a blizzard warning in Michigan that arrived earlier than is typical for the season, NWS meteorologist Greg Sova told Newsweek.
Key Details
Although many long-distance travelers may already have reached their destinations, countless others are still driving to join family and friends on Thursday. In several states, even short trips could mean navigating hazardous weather.
On Thursday morning, AccuWeather meteorologists updated their outlook to highlight intense lake-effect snow for northern Wisconsin, Michigan, northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and parts of New York. In the most severely affected zones, snowfall totals could reach up to 36 inches.
“Some highways may close due to the heavy snowfall rate and perhaps chain-reaction accidents,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said in the forecast.
Drivers using Interstates 75, 79, 80, 81, 86, 90 and 196 are being urged to keep a close eye on local forecasts before heading out. In some areas, the NWS is advising motorists to carry a survival kit in case they become stranded.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the NWS office in State College, Pennsylvania, warned in a lake-effect snow advisory. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.”
Heavy snow is expected to affect several major metropolitan areas. In Buffalo, New York, lake-effect snow was forecast to continue into Thursday morning after pounding the region Wednesday night. Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, could see intense snowfall beginning Thursday and lasting into the evening.
What Officials Are Saying
NWS Buffalo, in a lake-effect snow warning, cautioned: “Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on roads and poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact Thanksgiving holiday travel. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.”
A broader NWS outlook for Thursday added: “Heavy lake effect snow and gusty winds, including some local blizzard conditions, will continue into Thanksgiving Day across the Great Lakes then lingering through Friday night for Lakes Erie and Ontario. Confidence is increasing for another winter storm to develop over the northern and central Rockies Friday and track across the central Plains through the Midwest and Great Lakes this weekend.”
What’s Next
Lake-effect snow is expected to maintain treacherous travel conditions through Friday, with the potential to complicate Thanksgiving journeys and returns. Anyone planning to travel for the holiday should stay tuned to local weather updates and follow guidance from their local NWS office before and during their trip.
