Weather
Tennessee Thanksgiving Travel: Storm, Ice Risk Nov. 18–24
Nashville, TN – Thanksgiving travelers across Tennessee could face a wetter, more unsettled weather pattern from November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain, developing storms and hazardous high
By Owen Prescott · 2026-11-11T05:32:51.096Z
Nashville, TN – Thanksgiving travelers across Tennessee could face a wetter, more unsettled weather pattern from November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain, developing storms and hazardous highway conditions just as millions of Americans prepare for the holiday.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across portions of Tennessee and the surrounding region from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The outlook is part of a broad precipitation pattern extending from the western United States through the central Plains, Midwest and Gulf Coast. While the forecast does not confirm a specific storm, it signals an increased likelihood of wetter than normal conditions during the critical pre Thanksgiving travel period.
Nashville, Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Hendersonville and Clarksville could experience periods of rain as weather systems potentially move across the region.
Interstate 24, Interstate 40, Interstate 65 and Interstate 840 are major travel corridors to monitor.
Heavier rainfall could reduce visibility, create standing water on roads and slow traffic around the Nashville metropolitan area.
Memphis, Jackson and West Tennessee Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville and Jackson could face periods of unsettled weather during the November 18–24 window.
Interstate 40, Interstate 55 and Interstate 240 could experience slick conditions if heavier rain develops.
Thunderstorms are also possible if sufficient atmospheric instability accompanies incoming weather systems, although the long range outlook does not establish whether severe storms will occur.
Knoxville, Sevierville and East Tennessee Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Maryville, Sevierville and surrounding communities could experience periods of rain as the wetter pattern develops.
Interstate 40, Interstate 75 and Interstate 640 will be important routes to monitor as holiday traffic increases.
Mountain roads near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Great Smoky Mountains National Park could become hazardous during periods of heavy precipitation or reduced visibility.
Chattanooga, Cleveland and Southeast Tennessee Chattanooga, Cleveland, East Ridge and surrounding communities could face wet roads and slower travel along Interstate 24 and Interstate 75.
Heavy rainfall could create difficult driving conditions, especially through mountainous sections of Interstate 24 near Monteagle.
Johnson City, Bristol and the Appalachian Mountains Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol and higher elevation communities in northeastern Tennessee could face changing precipitation conditions.
Rain is a primary concern, but snow or freezing precipitation could develop in colder mountain locations if temperatures fall sufficiently.
Higher elevations along the Tennessee–North Carolina border warrant attention for possible winter weather.
Thanksgiving Travel: Storms, Rain and Mountain Ice? The wetter than normal outlook arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising concerns about possible travel disruptions across Tennessee.
Heavy rain and slick highways are the most immediate hazards to monitor. Snow and ice remain conditional concerns, primarily in higher elevations or during any colder periods.
NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the region, meaning widespread low elevation snow is not currently indicated by this outlook.
The November 18–24 forecast measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the probability of a specific storm, flood or ice event.
Tennessee travelers should monitor updated forecasts for storm timing, rainfall intensity and highway conditions as Thanksgiving approaches.