Lots to talk about in this update. Please factor these forecasts into your Thanksgiving travel plans.  Let's begin with the threat of freezing rain. Essentially, on Thanksgiving and if you are in the blue or red areas, travel will be a problem. Here are the probabilities of 2" or more of snow for the 48 hours ending at 6am Thanksgiving Day. The map below shows winter weather information. The pink = winter storm warning; blue = winter weather advisory; and dark green = winter storm watch. The small orange area is a blizzard warning which includes I-80 in southwest Wyoming. The other threat we need to discuss is the likelihood of major flooding in the southern Plains. Here is the NWS forecast of precipitation amounts for the next five days. Those are forecasts of eight inches in southern Oklahoma and far southwest Arkansas. Some of the models have in excess of 10" in those areas. The rainfalls will be augmented by extra moisture from Tropical Storm Sandra...

Here is the forecast rainfall for the next five days: That is 7.7 inches forecast for southeast Oklahoma with a large area of 5+ inches forecast from the Ozarks to north central Texas. This is enough to cause at least localized flooding. I'll have a complete update this afternoon.

This biggest problem will be heavy rains in the Southern Plains on Black Friday and Saturday. Here is an overview from AccuWeather . Details: Here is the forecast rainfall from 6pm this evening to 6pm Thanksgiving Evening. And, the heavy rains get started Thursday night. That is a forecast of nearly 5" along I-35 between the Red River and Dallas. The heavy rains will likely cause mild delays at the Dallas airports. Here are the probabilities of 2" or more of snow accumulating between 6am CST Tuesday to 6am Thanksgiving Day.

Click here .

Here is a plot of accumulations of 10" or more. As much as 17" accumulated in the northwest corner of Iowa. Here is the AccuWeather Regional Radar that shows in blue shades where it is snowing now. Darker blues = heavier falling snows. Average delays at O'Hare currently are 60 minutes.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Chicago and the airlines have issued "waivers" meaning you can change you plans without charge. If you are planning to fly through/to Chicago this afternoon or tonight call the airline and see if you can get on a later flight this morning. The snow is still a few hours away from Chicago and sooner is better than later.