New York, NY – A complex and highly variable weather pattern may unfold along the East Coast during the Thanksgiving travel window, with new federal outlooks showing elevated snow chances in the northern tier, near-normal (50–50) wintry potential across the Mid-Atlantic, and mostly rain farther south from November 23 through November 29. The setup could create a range of travel impacts from Maine to Florida during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, the northern East Coast holds the strongest signal for wintry weather. Northern New England—including Vermont, New Hampshire, and northeastern Maine—sits in a 33–40% above-normal precipitation zone, where colder temperatures may support periods of wet snow or a rain–snow mix. Central and southern New England, including Boston, Hartford, and Providence, retain a near-normal, 50–50 chance of mixed precipitation with a higher likelihood inland.
Farther south in the Mid-Atlantic, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, the forecast becomes more temperature-sensitive. Coastal regions—New York City, Atlantic City, Baltimore, and Norfolk—lean toward cold rain, while inland areas such as Harrisburg, Scranton, Winchester, and the I-81 corridor may see brief mixed precipitation during the overnight hours.
In the Appalachians, including western Maryland, the Blue Ridge, and portions of western North Carolina, elevation-driven cooling may produce short-lived snow or slush, especially late in the week behind departing systems.
The Southeast Coast, including coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, is expected to see rain, with temperatures too warm for snow. Inland areas north of Raleigh may briefly flirt with a mix, but widespread wintry weather is not expected.
Thanksgiving week will bring heavy traffic along I-95, I-81, US-1, and major airport hubs from Boston to Miami. Rain, fog, or a brief mix inland may contribute to delays during peak travel periods.
Forecasters expect sharper system timing early next week as short-range models begin tracking individual storms along the East Coast.
