Big temperature drop on the menu this Thanksgiving for millions across the US

By CNN Meteorologists Briana Waxman and Chris Dolce

(CNN) — A blast of Arctic cold air is set to sweep across the country just as family and friends take to the roads and skies to gather for Thanksgiving. Parts of the Rockies and Plains are already feeling the chill, but the temperature drop pushes south and east midweek.

The cold plunge is already arriving in the Upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes Tuesday into Wednesday with snow and strong winds. Winter storm warnings are in effect for more than 5 million people in the region, including Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The Twin Cities could see up to 6 inches of snow beginning Tuesday night, which when combined with wind gusts up to 45 mph, will create dangerous travel conditions during the busy Thanksgiving travel rush. Localized blizzard conditions are possible at times in southern and central Minnesota.

While this cold blast is not the most dramatic of the season, it will be a big change from the short sleeve or sweater weather millions across the US have enjoyed heading into the holiday week.

Temperatures will run up to 20 degrees below average for much of the central and eastern US by Thursday. Highs in the 20s and 30s are expected across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes on Thanksgiving, and even some Southern cities will wake up to a frost or freeze by Friday morning.

Blustery winds will accompany the temperature change, making it feel even colder. Single-digit wind chill temperatures are expected in portions of the northern Plains, and parade-goers will need to bundle up in New York City Thanksgiving morning despite sunny skies.

In Chicago, gusts up to 35 mph will make highs in the 30s feel more like the 20s. Leftovers in your refrigerator might be warmer than some of your holiday guests on their way home.

Lake-effect snow is likely in parts of the Great Lakes Wednesday through Friday as cold air moves over the warmer lake water. Narrow snow bands could make localized travel tricky where they set up.

Temperatures in the South won’t be quite as brutal but will still grab attention. Highs in the 50s will stretch from northern Texas through the Tennessee Valley and Carolinas. This will feel like quite a shock compared to last week when many of these areas saw highs pushing into the 70s and 80s.

This cold plunge is just an appetizer for some parts of the country. A strong push of Arctic air is expected to arrive in the central US Thanksgiving weekend into early next week. That will bring another round of below-average temperatures to the Rockies, Plains and parts of the Midwest to end November and start December. Low temperatures might plunge below zero in parts of Montana and North Dakota by Sunday or Monday Morning.

Parade balloons to battle breezes in NYC

New York City will see temperatures drop into the 40s late Wednesday with gusty northwest winds sticking around through Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Blustery conditions will make crowds shiver at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where wind chill temperatures will stay in the 30s. Gusts could reach 20 to 30 mph at times. That’s below the threshold for grounding the big character balloons, but handlers may need to keep a tighter grip.

At least the weather should stay dry with peeks of sun for the crowds lining the parade route.

The-CNN-Wire
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