Snowy Surprise: Post-Thanksgiving Travel Trouble

A big winter storm is making its way across the U. S. just in time to mess up travel plans for millions of people after Thanksgiving. The storm is bringing a mix of snow, rain, and cold weather, making things tricky for those heading out for Black Friday shopping or trying to get home from their holiday trips. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories from Montana all the way to New York. This means that anyone traveling through these areas could face some serious weather-related problems on the roads. Meteorologists are predicting that up to 42 million people could be affected by this storm as it moves across the northern Plains. Thanksgiving travel is always busy, but this year is expected to be especially hectic. AAA predicts that more than 81. 8 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday period. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is also preparing for a record number of travelers, with over 3 million people expected to go through security on Sunday alone. This could be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow to areas like Iowa and Illinois, with some places getting up to a foot of snow. Chicago, a major travel hub, could see anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of snow, which could cause big delays at the airports. Airlines are also expecting to fly a record number of passengers during this time, adding to the potential for travel disruptions. While the storm isn't expected to meet blizzard conditions, it's still causing some serious weather issues. Snow squalls could bring quick bursts of heavy snow and dangerous whiteout conditions for drivers in the Northeast. In the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, a mix of snow and rain is expected, with the snow tapering off by Saturday. The Midwest will continue to see snow, but conditions should improve overnight into Sunday as rain moves into the Northeast. To the south, heavy storms and possible flash flooding are in the forecast for the western Gulf Coast. This means that no matter where you're traveling, you'll need to be prepared for some weather-related challenges.