Thanksgiving Weather Forecast 2024—With U.S. Travel Map

Thanksgiving Weather Forecast

In 2024, Thanksgiving (U.S.) occurs on Thursday, November 28. Many Americans get Thursday and Friday off from work for the holiday, often meaning they make that pilgrimage during the week. 

Ready for a road trip? Last year, AAA stated that most Americans (89%) travel by car, while 8.5% journey by plane for the holiday. Here is a broad look at the weather predictions leading up to Thanksgiving week!  

Thanksgiving Travel Map

See our new roadmap covering the U.S. weather regions! This map is based on the long-range weather predictions in The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac—just released! As the map shows, many folks across the country can plan away.

• In terms of temperature, note the key code in the lower right corner to understand what the colors mean for your region! If your region is colored red or yellow, expect warmer-than-average temperatures; if your region is colored white, expect the weather to be varied, shifting during the week (from cooler to milder or milder to cooler). If your region is blue, expect colder-than-average temperatures.
• For precipitation, note the symbols showing snowflakes, rain showers, sunshine, and clouds. If you see two symbols together, then there is a mix of flurries and rainfall or a mix of sunshine and rain.

Will it Rain or Snow on Thanksgiving?

Midwest to East Coast

There should be a fair amount of sunshine from the Upper Midwest over to most of the East Coast. Travel weather should generally be pretty good in the days leading up to festivities with fairly mild or cool (but not frigid) conditions. That’s certainly good news for airline hubs such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, and Charlotte. 

Southeast and Florida

As we travel south, a couple of showers could slow travel a bit from the Ohio Valley to the Southwest to the Deep South. However, the weather remains cool to mild, so there is nothing to worry about temperature-wise.

In Florida, temperatures will be warmer than average for our most southeastern state. Also, expect rain showers—so a fairly warm, wet Thanksgiving. 

The Central U.S.

Temperatures will be sunny throughout the Central U.S., with mostly warmer-than-normal temperatures from the Upper Midwest (Minnesota and Wisconsin) through the Heartland (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas) all the way to Texas and Oklahoma. 

Texans will enjoy a sunny holiday, with warmer-than-average temperatures in the north. Expect it to be a little cooler with a few showers in the south. 

The Plains

Much of the Plains will continue to experience warmth similar to temperatures in the rest of the Central U.S. The Plains should be mostly dry with just a few showers. 

The Rocky Mountains

A few snow showers could cause some slick spots if the trek to Mom and Pop’s house is in the Rockies, specifically in northern areas. Southern parts will be sunny. Temperatures will be relatively mild for the holiday. 

The Southwest to Northwest

Dry weather and sunshine should help keep holiday travel moving in the Southwest, including hubs like Los Angeles and Phoenix. In California, expect sunshiny days from San Diego to San Francisco, with warmer-than-normal temperatures.

As we travel north to Oregon and Washington, the warmer-than-average temperatures continue. At the same time, there could be some rain across the Pacific Northwest around the holiday.

Much further north in Alaska, we expect a Thanksgiving with snowflakes and mixed rain in the central to northern areas.

Hawaii

Is anyone here from Hawaii or traveling to our tropical paradise over Thanksgiving? Expect slightly cooler-than-normal temperatures and rain showers in the east and west.

→More details of the Thanksgiving forecast will become clearer as the period approaches. Check the 5-Day Forecast.

→Have you heard? The winter weather predictions are out!

Overall November 2024 Forecast

We’re expecting a warm November overall from the Great Lakes over to much of the East Coast. Temperatures will also be near to above normal from the Upper Midwest through much of the central and northern Plains. Along the Gulf Coast, though, it will likely turn out a little cooler than normal. It will be on the chilly side from the Rockies over toward Washington State, while it will likely be warmer than normal from Oregon down to California. We’re expecting a warmer-than-normal November in Alaska, while Hawaii will be a little cooler. 

Across Canada, temperatures will mainly be near or above normal, with the exception of southern British Columbia. 

Precipitation will be near or below normal from the Great Lakes to the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Much of the Deep South and Southeast will be wetter than normal. A drier-than-normal November is expected from the Plains all the way to the West Coast. Across Alaska, above-normal precipitation will be found across the south, while it will be drier in the north. The Big Island of Hawaii will likely have a wet November, while the rest of the islands will be on the drier side. 

Looking at Canada, we expect near- to below-normal precipitation across the Maritimes, southwestern Ontario, southern British Columbia, Yukon, and Northwest Territories. Above-normal precipitation is likely for much of the area for southern Quebec, southeastern Ontario, and the Prairies.

Spotlight on Election Day Weather

On U.S. Election Day, November 5, 2024, there will be some pockets of rain along the East Coast. Much of the East will be on the warmer side, while it will be cold enough for snow showers in some areas of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest, where those waiting in line to vote will want to bundle up. Sunshine is expected from parts of the Ohio Valley down through the Tennessee Valley and the central Gulf Coast. There will be a few areas of rain in the Plains, but most places will be dry. 

The West Coast looks mostly precipitation-free with some sunshine. It will be on the chilly side across Washington but warmer for Oregon and California. A sunny day is expected across the Rockies, while there could be a shower or two in the Desert Southwest. Alaska will see periods of rain and snow, while heavy rain is in the forecast for eastern Hawaii, with showers in central and western areas.

→ Now see YOUR region’s forecast with weekly weather condition summaries.

Ready for Thanksgiving Food?

This holiday is definitely focused on that all-important American feast! Much of the food is traditional, from the turkey to the cranberry sauce to the apple pie, but you can always add your own traditions.

Here are some of our favorite recipes to cook (or request!) for the feast day, including tips on properly cooking a turkey so that it’s moist and flavorful. 

• Our Best Thanksgiving Recipes 
• Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
• How to Cook a Turkey: Cooking Times and Tips
• Thanksgiving Pies and Puddings

Also, see our main Thanksgiving page for some holiday history, poetry, and folklore.

Winter is just around the corner! Prepare for the season by picking up your copy of The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac today.