For Monday, 1pm CST: It would not surprise me to see significant flight delays at San Francisco and, possible, the Chicago airports due to weather.  Please note: while the contrast between blue (snow) and green (rain) in California is difficult to discern on both maps,  heavy  snow is forecast for I-80 in California through 6am CST Wednesday. If you are going to travel in that area, you may need to carry chains.  Tuesday, 6pm CST: Starting in the East, there will be considerable lake effect snow on the south and east side of the Great Lakes. There will be heavy snow in the Colorado Rockies, the Wasatch and throughout parts of Nevada and Idaho. If you are driving on I-70 or I-80 in these areas, please prepare for winter driving conditions.

Here's a general idea of the weather in the pre-Thanksgiving travel period.  Map is valid from Monday evening until Wednesday evening.  The snowy Sierra pattern will continue into Tuesday night.  Forecast High Temperatures Tuesday Forecast High Temperatures Wednesday

This is valid from Tuesday to the Sunday after Thanksgiving With regard to precipitation, since it is late November, colder than average + wetter than average = well, you get the idea. Stay tuned for more updates. 

The winter storm in the Central United States will be the only serious travel issue this weekend. Let's begin with the National Weather Service's storm warnings: Since my last update, the winter storm warning has been extended east and south to include Wichita and Emporia, Kansas. A winter weather advisory has been issued for northern Missouri and now includes the Greater Kansas City area. Color code: Pink = winter storm warning  Green = winter storm watch Purple - winter weather advisory (lesser condition) Sand =  locally high winds Here is the radar from 4:40pm: There is light snow falling in northeast Colorado that is not being depicted by radar. The radar is showing a little too much snow in Nebraska and Kansas as some of it is evaporating before it reaches the ground.  Forecast Radar for 9pm This Evening Forecast Radar for 9am Saturday This is the winter storm getting cranked up. Moderate to heavy snow is forecast to be occurring in southern Kansas that will affect I...

We've had beautiful weather across most of the nation for our Thanksgiving celebrations today. Hope you are having a great one! Unfortunate, for many, the return weather will leave a lot to be desired. Please consider these forecasts while making your plans.  Noon Friday It is going to be a real mess in the central High Plains, the Rockies and the Intermountain Region. I-80 and I-70, especially, along with I-25, I-76, and I-15 are going to be hazardous depending on what highway crews are able to do. Snow will interfere with flight operations at both the Delta hub in Salt Lake City and the Southwest + United hubs in Denver (1-2" forecast for DIA). If possible, ask to be rerouted around the storm. For example, if you are flying on United from Louisville to Vegas and are changing planes in Denver, see if they will re-route you to change planes Chicago or Houston.  From AccuWeather, the time of arrival of the snow. Noon Saturday Above is the forecast radar for noon Central time on...

No rest for meteorologists. Given the major winter storm, I will update the travel forecast this afternoon. 

Johnny Carson, who retired in 1992, was known as the "King of Late Night," a title he still retains. Based on what has aired after late local news in the last 30+ years, his title will never be challenged.  In addition to host Johnny Carson, the cast included sidekick Ed McMahon and bandleader Doc Severinsen. Johnny and Ed had amazing chemistry and produced some of the funniest moments in the history of television. But the night before Thanksgiving 1979, Ed (who used to deliver Publisher's Clearinghouse prize checks) was off for the holiday and it was Johnny and Doc. Keeping in mind all of this was extemporaneous, hold on before you split your side laughing. 

Because of the now likelihood of substantial snow, I am providing early estimates of snow so you can plan accordingly.  Snowfall from 6am Friday to 6am Saturday This snow will significantly affect I-80, I-70, I-76, I-25 and I-40. While the Denver Airport (United and Southwest hub) usually handles winter operations well, there may be flight delays due to de-icing operations. The snow should be light enough there won't be many issues at the Delta hub in Salt Lake City.  Snowfall from 6am Saturday to 6am Sunday While winds are forecasted to be relatively light (~10-15 mph), this snow will cause real problems because Oklahoma does not handle snow removal well. This snow will affect I-70, I-35, I-29 and I-40. If this forecast holds, there will be major snows along U.S. 400 across Kansas. There will likely be flight delays and cancellations at Wichita's Eisenhower National Airport.  In New England, there will be spots of heavy snow in Maine with lighter snows in Upstate New Y...

Most of the nation has excellent travel weather. Below, we'll talk about the exceptions.  Blue is snow with darker blue indicating heavier rates of falling snow.  There are no other areas of significant adverse weather at this time nor are any areas of difficult travel weather expected before midnight.  In a non-meteorological issue, the Rainbow Bridge in Buffalo is closed .  As of 1:15m EST, Orlando again has 15 minute delays. Forecast  airport delays (via the FAA): Newark and Teterboro may have ground delays this afternoon. West Palm Beach may have ground delays. This will be the last of my pre-Thanksgiving travel forecasts. Go here for the forecasts pertaining to the snowy post-Thanksgiving travel forecast.

1978 and 1979 had the two best bits of television programming pertaining to Thanksgiving -- ever. In our first commemoration, we are going to look at the payoff of the "Turkey's Away" episode of WKRP in Cincinnati which first aired October 30, 1978. WKRP  was about a struggling rock 'n roll radio station. This episode surrounds a promotion thought up by "The Big Guy," station manager Arthur Carlson (played by Kansas State alumnus, the late Gordon Jump) to prove to the staff that he still "had it."  By the way, Turkeys Away  was based on a true story . 

Here are my final forecasts regarding pre -Thanksgiving travel.  Noon Wednesday Because of heavier rains earlier in the day, flight delays may be common at Atlanta, Washington and New York. Flight delays may develop at Seattle as a new storm moves in from the Pacific.  6pm Wednesday By Wednesday evening, snow -- some heavy -- will be widespread in Montana and parts of Idaho. Gusty winds may accompany the snow in Montana. The cold front draped from Montana to Wisconsin will bring in much colder air.  Thanksgiving, 6pm By Thursday evening, the first large-scale winter storm of the 2023-24 winter will be making its way southeast from the Rockies with heavy snow in many areas (dark blue). In Wyoming, blizzard conditions are possible at times as wind gusts could reach 50 mph.  Preliminary Post-Thanksgiving Snow Outlooks While these are still preliminary, these will -- I hope -- assist you in planning your return travel after Thursday. 24-Hours Ending 6pm Saturday 24-Hours...

Here Are Forecasts For the Lead-Up to Thanksgiving: 6pm Sunday Note that Interstates 70, 80, and 90 will be affected by snow tonight as well as Interstate 15 southwest of Salt Lake City.  High winds are likely east of the Front Range and into southeast Wyoming along I-80. These winds will affect Interstates 25, 70, 76 and 80. 6pm Monday Widespread rain and thunderstorms will occur throughout the Mississippi Valley. Rain may slow flights at Chicago, St. Louis and Memphis. Update: Tornadoes, some strong, are forecast to occur from east Texas into far western Alabama late Monday afternoon and Monday night. I urge  you read this forecast along with safety suggestions.  6am Tuesday By Tuesday morning, the West will be dominated by a large high pressure system that will bring cold air south -- likely setting the stage for snow from Friday through Sunday (depending on location, see below). East of the Mississippi River rain will be widespread. There will likely be flight de...

With Thanksgiving travel upon us and the likelihood of a large area of snow falling after Thursday, a reminder is timely.  For Winter Storm Warnings Here is a very  preliminary forecast of snow Friday-Saturday-Sunday next weekend. South of about I-80, this snow, if it falls, would be early in the season. Shoveling would be necessary in some areas. Some of the models have (light) snow as far south as I-40 in Oklahoma, including OKC and Tulsa. Please consider this as it pertains to your travel plans. 

7:05p CST, rain increasing in California.  Rain is slowly weakening in the East. 7:08p CST. --- The Forecast --- Noon Saturday No major travel issues expected anywhere except for the snow showers along I-80 in the Sierra and a few snow showers along I-40 in far eastern Arizona.  2pm Sunday There will be seasonal snow showers in the areas of the west along I-90 and I-70. In the central U.S., all of the precipitation will be in the form of rain except near I-35 from Wichita to Dallas and about 75 miles on either side of that highway. There, thunderstorms with hail and wind gusts of 50 mph or stronger are possible.  8pm Monday  All of the precipitation (rain) will be in the form of rain except in the outlined area where hail and strong winds may occur with any thunderstorms.  Beginning Saturday afternoon, I will have forecasts from Thanksgiving, forward.  Preliminary Outlook for Friday-Saturday-Sunday After Thanksgiving While this is very  preliminary, I ...