Severe weather throughout the country threatens widespread disruptions during what’s expected to be a record-high Thanksgiving travel week.
At least 9 million people face the risk of severe storms Monday throughout Texas, southern Arkansas and the northern half of Louisiana. These storms could produce large hail, damaging winds and several tornadoes.
The risk of flooding affects 7 million people across central and northern Texas, as well as a small portion of Oklahoma and Arkansas, on Monday. These areas are forecast to be hit by thunderstorms, with 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour through the morning, and an additional 1 to 3 inches possible throughout the day.
“Flash flood and severe weather threats will gradually move through the Arklatex region today, reaching into the Tennessee Valley and interior Deep South/Southeast on Tuesday,” the National Weather Service said Monday morning.
A separate storm system is affecting the northern Rockies and will move across the Upper Midwest into New England through Wednesday.
This storm could bring snow to parts of Montana and the Dakotas, which face winter advisories Monday.
The storm will strengthen by Tuesday, bringing snow to Minnesota and northern Michigan. Heavy rain is also possible from the Gulf Coast up into the Northeast.
On Wednesday, snow will pass through Wisconsin and Michigan, with lake-effect snow picking up later in the day.
Snowfall totals are expected to range from 3 to 6 inches from North Dakota to northern Michigan through Wednesday, with higher amounts possible in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Conditions are expected to clear in most of the country by Thanksgiving, except for lingering lake-effect snow and gusty winds across the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest.
These two storm systems could cause flight delays and dangerous driving conditions, as 82 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday to Dec. 1, according to the AAA.
Thanksgiving travelers should be prepared with a “plan B flight” or “alternate transport options,” Katy Nastro, a travel spokesperson for Going, told NBC News.
