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Thanksgiving travel forecast

Posted at 10:03 AM, Nov 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-22 20:20:04-05

WEDNESDAY EVENING update:

The forecast from FOX 17 Chief Meteorologist Joe Kopecek. Travel over the next few days will be fine with mainly dry weather. Temperatures will stay chilly tomorrow with a warm-up for Friday.

  • Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s to near 30s. Winds southwest at 5 to 10 mph.
  • Thanksgiving Day: Morning clouds and perhaps a few flurries as a weak cold front slides through the state, otherwise some afternoon clearing is expected. Highs in the low 40s. Winds southwest/west at 5 to 15 mph.
  • Friday:  Partly sunny, milder, and breezy with highs around 50. Winds south at 10 to 20 mph.

WEST MICHIGAN- Thanksgiving is always known as one of the busiest travel times of the year, so obviously the weather is important for drivers and passengers in the air.  No matter what day you’re traveling this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it looks like the weather will cooperate with you for a good majority of the weekend.

We're going to be the beneficiary of high pressure (a fair weather maker,) and this is going to keep a lot of the country dry, including us.  There shouldn't be any weather related delays from Wednesday through Friday.

While you can see the colder air on the eastern half of the United States Wednesday, most areas will be dry.  The western half of the United States is abnormally warm, with some of the latest recorded 90 degree readings ever recorded in the desert and along the coast.

The actual Thanksgiving holiday locally looks great to watch the Lions game or toss a football outside by the afternoon.  While temperatures are cooler than last year's 50 degree readings, it's going to be a calm and cold morning, ideal for hunters to finish the week.

If you're returning to West Michigan on Sunday, I'm still not expecting any issues in regards to travel.   I'll update you throughout the week on any minor changes, but it looks to be an enjoyable holiday for all.