You’ve already blocked out travel time, maybe packed the car, maybe rebooked the flight — and now you’re wondering if the weather might finally rescue you from hitting the road early. According to a recent forecast from The Weather Channel, a series of low-pressure systems and polar fronts could make Thanksgiving week more challenging for drivers and flyers alike. With travel volumes expected to be high, you’ll want to know whether “the weather made me late” will really hold up—or if it’ll sound like a lazy excuse.
Weather Vs. Travel Volume: A Collision Course
Traffic is already stretched: countless people will be on the move during the holiday, which means any weather disturbance magnifies quickly. The Weather Channel spells it out: Friday could be the worst day for travel thanks to a low-pressure system sweeping through the Gulf Coast and the Central Plains. Rain, gusty winds, and even lingering snow in high elevation areas create ideal conditions for delays. When you combine that volume with adverse weather, the smallest hiccup can spin into a major time-sink.
Sunday brings a split forecast. Most of the East should enjoy smooth sailing—ideal for drivers and flyers hoping for clear skies. But trouble spots linger elsewhere. Parts of the South, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest could still see unsettled weather. A developing low-pressure system over the Southern Rockies may produce rain and mountain snow, while the Southern Plains could face heavier downpours and a few thunderstorms. The Pacific Northwest, meanwhile, stays true to form with more rain and potential snow in higher elevations. Major airports in Dallas, Houston, and Seattle may experience delays if those systems strengthen..
Hot Spots To Keep Your Eyes On
Some regions stand out for potential trouble. The Gulf Coast into the Mid-Atlantic may see rain driven by a frontal system, especially around the southern Appalachian mountains. Drivers heading through Tennessee or the Carolinas should plan for delays, especially if mountain passes are involved. The Pacific Northwest and high-elevation terrain in the Northern Rockies may deal with showers and mountain snow. If you’re flying into major hubs like Dallas, Houston, or Seattle, expect possible delays as bad weather hits right when airports are packed with travelers.
On the flip side, some points are less risky. Southern and central corridors that avoid heavy elevation changes might stay out of the most extreme weather zones. That means if your trip is away from mountains and storm-tracks, your path is less likely to be disrupted—though nothing is guaranteed.
Will “Bad Weather” Give You A Valid Excuse?
Yes—but only under the right conditions. If your travel path intersects forecasted systems, such as heavy rain in the Plains or mountain snow in the West, you’ll have a credible delay reason, especially if you left with some buffer time and notified your hosts. On the other hand, if your route stays clear and you run into trouble because you left late or were stuck in heavy traffic, blaming the weather may not carry much weight.
Thanksgiving 2025 doesn’t promise wholesale chaos, yet it does hold more than a few bump-in-the-road zones for travellers. If your route takes you through a flagged region and the weather does its thing, leaning on “the forecast hit us” is entirely appropriate. If not, plan for smoother skies, hit the road early, and maybe save the excuse for another day. Either way: watch the radar and aim to show up with your turkey and your mood intact. Safe travels!
