Farmers' Almanac Forecasts Widespread Travel Disruptions for Thanksgiving Week
Nearly half the U.S. could see rain or snow, impacting millions of holiday travelers, while the Northeast and Southeast are expected to experience milder conditions.
Millions of Americans preparing for Thanksgiving travel could face significant disruptions due to widespread rain and snow across nearly half the country, according to the latest forecast from the Farmers' Almanac. The period between Monday, November 23, and Thanksgiving Day, November 26, is predicted to bring challenging weather conditions to various regions.
The Pacific Northwest is anticipated to experience rain, potentially leading to poor driving conditions for travelers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Further inland, the Midwest and Great Lakes region may see colder temperatures and snow showers, affecting journeys through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Southwest could encounter a mix of rain and snow, while the Plains and Rockies are expected to face typical late-November snow, which could cause delays.
"Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, so even routine late-November weather can create delays," the Farmers' Almanac stated. Last year, over 81 million people traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday period. In 2025, a cross-country winter storm caused widespread travel chaos, with ground stops issued at airports from New York to California.
However, some areas are predicted to have more favorable travel weather. The Northeast and New England are forecast to experience cool and mainly fair weather, with only a chance of flurries in the northernmost areas and at higher elevations. This includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C.
The Southeast is also expected to enjoy mild and pleasant conditions. States such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are predicted to have good weather for travel.
"At this point, Thanksgiving 2026 looks more typical than turbulent. Much of the East appears cool and largely dry, the Southeast looks mild and pleasant," the almanac noted. "The Plains and Rockies may deal with light snow and colder air, and the Pacific Northwest should prepare for rainy late-fall conditions. That’s a forecast many holiday travelers will gladly take."
The Farmers' Almanac, a resource for seasonal forecasts since 1818, claims an 80 to 85 percent accuracy rate based on historical weather patterns, solar activity, and celestial movements.
Looking beyond Thanksgiving, the almanac's winter forecast suggests a less favorable outlook. The annual winter outlook predicted significant rainfall in the southern half of the U.S., particularly along the Gulf Coast and in states like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The Northeast could face coastal storms and snow. El Niño is cited as a major influence on predictions, calling for higher-than-normal rainfall totals through March 2027.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) has advised holiday travelers to begin planning their trips as early as September, noting that Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year.