Traffic
Mid-South Thanksgiving: 'Micro Blizzards' Could Threaten I-40
Memphis, TN – Imagine heading west on Interstate 40 for Thanksgiving, crossing the Mississippi River into Arkansas when a sudden burst of heavy snow sweeps across the highway. Within moments, vehicles
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-11-14T11:35:28.672Z
Memphis, TN – Imagine heading west on Interstate 40 for Thanksgiving, crossing the Mississippi River into Arkansas when a sudden burst of heavy snow sweeps across the highway. Within moments, vehicles ahead become difficult to see, brake lights fade into blowing snow and a familiar holiday drive turns dangerous.
Although snow squalls are uncommon in the Mid South, travelers should recognize this winter hazard before Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , snow squalls are brief, intense bursts of snowfall that can produce gusty winds, near zero visibility and rapidly deteriorating road conditions. Sometimes informally called "micro blizzards," these events can make highways hazardous within minutes.
Mid South Highways Where Winter Weather Is a Concern Interstate 40, connecting Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; and Jackson, TN, is a major Thanksgiving travel corridor where sudden winter precipitation can disrupt traffic.
Interstate 55 through Memphis and northern Mississippi, Interstate 22 between Memphis and Tupelo, MS, and Interstate 30 between Little Rock and Texarkana, AR, are additional routes where snow or ice can affect travel.
Drivers across Shelby and Madison counties in Tennessee, Pulaski and Crittenden counties in Arkansas, and DeSoto and Lee counties in Mississippi should monitor forecasts when unusually cold weather is possible.
Snow squalls are less frequent here than across the Great Lakes or northern Plains. Freezing rain, sleet and icy bridges are often more relevant regional winter hazards.
What Happens When a Snow Squall Warning Is Issued? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
Warnings generally last 30 to 60 minutes and may trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
Sudden visibility loss at interstate speeds increases the risk of multivehicle crashes, particularly when drivers brake abruptly or follow too closely.
What Thanksgiving Travelers Should Do If a Snow Squall Warning affects a planned route, delay travel until conditions improve .
Drivers already traveling should gradually reduce speed, increase following distance, use low beam headlights and avoid sudden braking.
If visibility becomes dangerously poor, safely exit the highway when possible rather than stopping in an active travel lane.
Before departing, check Tennessee SmartWay , IDrive Arkansas and Mississippi 511 for highway conditions and closures.
Official forecasts and warnings are available from NWS Memphis , NWS Little Rock and NWS Jackson, MS .
Travelers heading into Missouri, Kentucky or farther north should also review weather conditions along their entire route.
This is a Thanksgiving travel preparedness reminder, not a prediction that snow squalls will strike the Mid South during the holiday. Understanding how quickly winter driving conditions can change could help families make safer decisions across the region.