WASHINGTON — Thanksgiving weather starts off cool but mostly dry here in the DMV. It's followed by unsettled weather and some rain to close out the weekend. This could spell trouble for those traveling for the holiday.
We’ll head into Thanksgiving week with average to cooler-than-average temperatures.
Expect afternoon temperatures in the low to mid-50s the first few days of the Thanksgiving week. A storm system is set to bring rain to our area in the Sunday to Monday time period, followed by a dry stretch for Tuesday and Wednesday -- both very important travel days.
Our current forecast is for the low 50s and partly sunny weather on Thanksgiving Day. An outside chance for a rain shower cannot be ruled out for the holiday.
Both the European and American models are pointing to those seasonally cool upper 40s to low 50s on Thanksgiving. Additionally, those two major models keep the holiday in the DMV dry, but just barely.
The pattern during Thanksgiving week is forecast to be a bit cool and unsettled. This is based on two factors:
- The first one is an upper-level trough (low pressure) over the northeastern part of the U.S. This trough is being forecast by most model data.
- The second factor is the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center has us in the outlook region for cooler-than-average and slightly wetter than average weather.
A storm system is likely to impact the southwest U.S. with a chance for rain around Thanksgiving. However, the rain will be looming over the long holiday weekend here in the D.C. region, with a storm system sweeping across the east coast on Friday, Nov. 26 and perhaps the following weekend. This means weather delays are possible for holiday travelers on the days following Thanksgiving.
Friday 2:30 PM GFS.
Friday 2:30 PM Euro.
Saturday 2:30 PM GFS.
Saturday 2:30 PM Euro.
Sunday 2:30 PM GFS. The GFS has some rain for those Sunday travelers from Chicago to Pittsburgh.
Sunday 2:30 PM Euro. The Euro is in pretty good agreement with rain Chicago eastward Sunday afternoon.
Monday 2:30 PM GFS. Rain greets the I 95 corridor Monday.
Monday 2:30 PM Euro. The Euro ends the rain earlier along I 95 Monday.
Naturally, as the holiday gets closer and we get better weather data we’ll be able to improve the Thanksgiving forecast. So, expect some changes and updates to the forecast in the next few days.
But as of now, our weather pattern is looking to cooperate for holiday travels and for those who are staying home and celebrating with family and friends in the DMV.