Travel may become challenging, and the prime seats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade might just be on your couch, as storms are likely to disrupt many areas of the country during this lengthy holiday weekend.

However, not all weather news for the holiday is grim. The Pacific Northwest, which has recently faced harsh conditions including atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone, is expected to see calmer weather, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys, speaking to YSL News on Sunday as the national weather situation for the holiday became clearer.

“If I were to rate the weather, I would say it’s a mixed bag for the country,” Roys noted. “There are certainly areas of concern.”

A significant concern is Denver International Airport, where snowfall may disrupt travel on what typically ranks among the busiest air travel days of the year. Roys indicated that the forecast predicts 1-3 inches of snow on Wednesday, which, while not excessive for the Mile High City, could lead to delays.

Rain or snow in cities like Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, could cause traffic complications, according to Roys.

This is concerning as AAA, the American Automobile Association, predicts that 79.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving between Tuesday and December 2. This marks an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019. The surge in travel is expected to be fueled by lower gas prices, which may dip below $3.00 for the first time since 2021.

Heavy Snow Expected in Sierra Nevadas Soon, Great Lakes Region Later

Some regions are bracing for substantial snowfall. In the Sierra Nevadas, up to 7 to 10 feet of snow could accumulate in the next few days leading up to the long weekend. Travelers might face delays until the storm passes, according to Roys.

“Anyone trying to navigate Donner Pass on Monday and Tuesday could find it very challenging,” Roys warned. “After that, aside from some showers in Los Angeles, travel conditions in the West should improve significantly.”

On Black Friday, lake-effect snow could impact areas including Grand Rapids, Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, Syracuse, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania.

“Initial forecasts suggest it might lead to significant snowfall,” Roys mentioned. “In certain locations, we can’t rule out at least a foot of snow, although this will be very localized.”

Thanksgiving Parades Likely to Face Difficult Weather in Northeast

The specifics of the approaching storm are still uncertain, but wind gusts exceeding 20 mph could hit the Tennessee Valley, the Virginia coastline, and extend into the Northeast. While not extreme, these winds could disrupt large parades set for cities like New York and Philadelphia, as warned by AccuWeather.

“It looks like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York could be quite soggy,” Roys noted. “We will need to monitor the winds to see if they prevent the balloons from being used.”

Weather Conditions for Return Travel are Uncertain

The weather outlook for the remainder of the holiday weekend is unpredictable. A rapidly moving system could lead to clearer conditions post-Thanksgiving weekend, but if the storm slows down, it might stick around the Northeast coast for several days, according to AccuWeather. This could create additional travel delays as people journey home after the holiday.

“We need to keep an eye on how the storm develops,” Roys said.