Heavy rain forecast Wednesday before Thanksgiving
Be sure to bring an umbrella on your Thanksgiving holiday travel in Massachusetts, as meteorologists are sounding the alarm about the potential for heavy rain this week.
A low-pressure storm system should bring mostly rain to Massachusetts late Tuesday through Wednesday before Thanksgiving. There may also be some wintry precipitation across high terrain areas within the state, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecast models continue to fluctuate on the exact path and strength of Wednesday’s storm system, which will have a significant impact on the type of precipitation Massachusetts residents will see. The weather service noted that there is still some uncertainty about whether only rain or a shift from snow to rain is expected at higher elevations.
- Read more: Thanksgiving travel in Massachusetts: Winter weather challenges possible
“What we know with greater confidence is that this will be a very dynamic system,” the weather service said.
The National Weather Service indicated that a significant amount of rain could fall in southern New England “during a very busy travel day.” There is a 40 to 60% chance of two inches or more of rain in the interior of the region.
Not only is the weather expected to be rainy on Wednesday, but meteorologists are also predicting strong winds. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph or more may be recorded over southeastern Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service.
- Read more: El Niño: The reason behind Massachusetts’ chances of a white Christmas
Before Wednesday, the outlook should remain calm. The weather is expected to be mainly dry on Sunday and Monday. However, the weather is expected to be windy and cold at the start of the week, especially on Monday, with temperatures 10 degrees below normal. The Meteorological Service said that Tuesday will not be cold.
On Thanksgiving Thursday, the weather is expected to be dry, cold and windier. These conditions may continue through the weekend, according to the weather service.
AAA expects a big jump in travel in the coming days. More than 55.4 million travelers are expected to head 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period from Wednesday to next Sunday.
- Read more: What are the best trails to hike in Massachusetts on National Hiking Day?
INRIX, a company that provides transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday to be the busiest day on the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, with average travel times up to 80% greater than normal in some metropolitan areas. It is recommended that passengers leave in the morning or after 6pm to avoid overcrowding.
