Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois Could See Heavy Rain and Storms During Active Thanksgiving Week
TEXAS — A stormy Thanksgiving week is shaping up for much of the central United States, with Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois among the states most likely to experience heavy rain, thunderstorms, and a major cold front heading into the holiday weekend.
According to new data from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), above-average precipitation is expected across nearly the entire country between November 24 and November 30, with a strong pattern change developing as the week progresses.
Cold Front Bringing Rain, Thunderstorms, and Winter Transition
Meteorologists say much of the week will start mild and seasonable, but a strong cold front moving in from the West Coast will quickly shift conditions by Thanksgiving and into the weekend.
- Texas and Arkansas are expected to see scattered thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall, especially in the eastern parts of the states.
- Illinois and the lower Midwest could experience persistent rain showers followed by colder air and a chance of mixing precipitation by the weekend.
- Behind the front, snow is possible from Colorado and Wyoming northward into the northern Plains.
Forecaster Adam Lucio, who shared the CPC forecast, noted that this setup could lead to “a stronger storm system as winter-like air moves in,” potentially marking the start of December cold patterns.
States at Greatest Risk for Wet Thanksgiving Travel
The heaviest rainfall totals are currently expected in a swath stretching from Houston and Little Rock to St. Louis and Chicago, where multiple rounds of showers and isolated storms could impact travel.
- Texas: Central and eastern regions will likely see periods of rain and thunderstorms, especially late in the week.
- Arkansas: Consistent rain chances from Wednesday through Friday, with some storms possibly turning heavy at times.
- Illinois: Intermittent showers will move in from the southwest, increasing Thanksgiving night into Friday, followed by a noticeable temperature drop.
Milder in the East, Winter Chill Out West
While the Midwest and central Plains deal with rain and cooling, the Southeast and East Coast are forecast to stay warmer than average, with highs in the 60s and 70s. In contrast, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado will see colder air settling in, bringing early snow and daytime highs in the 30s and 40s.
Travel Impact Across the Region
The forecast raises concerns for one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
- Air travelers in cities like Dallas, Little Rock, and Chicago should prepare for potential flight delays due to rain and low visibility.
- Drivers may face slick roads and reduced visibility, particularly in Texas and Arkansas.
- Meteorologists are also watching for a possible storm system to form late in the week as the cold air deepens.
Weather experts advise checking updated forecasts frequently as timing and strength of the system may still shift slightly.
Stay tuned to NapervilleLocal.com for further Thanksgiving week weather updates and travel safety information.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.