Weather
Texas Thanksgiving Travel: Storm, Ice Concerns Nov. 18–24
Dallas, TX – Thanksgiving travelers across Texas could face a significantly wetter weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain,
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-11-11T05:31:59.961Z
Dallas, TX – Thanksgiving travelers across Texas could face a significantly wetter weather pattern as precipitation probabilities climb heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible winter weather across northern portions of the state during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across much of Texas from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The widespread wet pattern extends from the western United States through the central Plains and Gulf Coast. Portions of the central Plains reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, with elevated probabilities extending into Texas.
Dallas, Fort Worth and North Texas Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, McKinney and Denton could experience periods of unsettled weather as the wetter pattern develops.
Travelers along Interstate 35, Interstate 20, Interstate 30 and Interstate 45 should monitor forecasts for heavier rainfall, thunderstorms and potentially reduced visibility.
Snow, sleet or freezing rain could become concerns if sufficiently cold air reaches North Texas during precipitation.
Houston, Galveston and Southeast Texas Houston, Pasadena, Sugar Land, Baytown, Galveston and surrounding communities could see periods of rain and thunderstorms during the preholiday travel period.
Interstate 10, Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59 could experience difficult driving conditions if heavier rainfall develops.
Austin, San Antonio and Central Texas Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, San Antonio and New Braunfels are also within the broader region favored for wetter than normal conditions.
Developing storm systems could bring periods of rain, potentially affecting Interstate 35 and Interstate 10 during holiday travel.
Amarillo, Lubbock and the Texas Panhandle Amarillo, Lubbock, Plainview, Hereford and surrounding communities warrant attention for possible winter precipitation if colder air overlaps with developing storm systems.
Snow or freezing rain could create travel hazards along Interstate 40 and Interstate 27, depending on temperatures and storm timing.
El Paso, Midland and West Texas El Paso, Midland, Odessa, Abilene and surrounding communities could also experience changing weather conditions during November 18–24.
Rain is possible, while higher elevations could see snow if temperatures support winter precipitation.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Winter Storms Develop? The elevated precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising concerns about possible travel disruptions across Texas.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are important threats to monitor, while snow, sleet and freezing rain remain conditional possibilities, particularly across the Panhandle and northern Texas.
NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the region. Its precipitation outlook measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the likelihood of a specific winter storm, ice storm or severe thunderstorm outbreak.
With November 18–24 extending into the beginning of Thanksgiving week, Texas residents should monitor updated forecasts for storm timing, rainfall intensity, temperatures and potential highway impacts.