Parts of the Southeastern United States are bracing for a line of storms predicted to pass through the region on Thanksgiving.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Southern Region has posted on X (previously Twitter) that there is a minor probability of strong to severe storms on Thursday in parts of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
“Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are likely today and during Thanksgiving! Make sure you have several means to receive warnings. “Maybe bring a NOAA weather radio with that pie for Thanksgiving to keep everyone informed!” the post states.
The storms are predicted to carry cooler air behind them, and temperatures are expected to approach freezing as far south as northwest Florida.
According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center, the polar cold front is expected to bring double-digit temperature decreases to the Sunshine State, with the threat of a “hard freeze. “
“Please protect susceptible vegetation, and if you are traveling south, bring your jackets,” the NWS Climate Prediction Center tweeted about the impending freeze on Monday.
Some parts of Florida, notably the central region, may witness a 40-degree decrease in temperature when the cold front moves in. Last week, temperatures dropped as far south as Lake Okeechobee in Florida.
Meanwhile, many regions in the West are prepared for winter weather, including snow. Colorado might receive up to 36 inches of snow, and multiple routes around the state were closed on Wednesday due to the winter weather.
Lake effect snow is expected in several parts of New York state this weekend. On Wednesday, the NWS Buffalo station tweeted: “It’s been a quiet start to the snow season for our region, and our first lake effect snow event will be lengthy, with accumulating snow continuing through the weekend and into early next week.”
According to the NWS, high temperatures in Buffalo and neighboring areas will be in the mid-40s and upper 30s from Wednesday to Friday. The area may also see light rain or snow on Thanksgiving, with a few inches likely “on hilltops.”
The first lake effect snow event of the season occurred on November 17, according to NWS Buffalo in a follow-up X post. “This upcoming event will be 12 days later than average.”