Will It Rain on Thanksgiving Day? Here’s the 2025 U.S. Weather Outlook
A powerful cold front moving across the United States ahead of Thanksgiving has raised questions about holiday weather. Early forecasts from federal and private meteorologists suggest that most of the country will remain dry on Thanksgiving Day, though several regions could still face rain, snow, or gusty winds.
The National Weather Service reports that the worst conditions are expected before the holiday. From Monday through Wednesday, a large storm system will bring widespread rain, thunderstorms, and pockets of snow across the central and eastern United States. Once the storm passes, colder air will move in, improving conditions for Thanksgiving itself.
The main storm should clear out before Thursday, leaving much of the Lower 48 dry. The Pacific Northwest may see rain at lower elevations and snow across the Cascades and northern Rockies, affecting states like Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana with slick mountain passes and travel hazards. Lake-effect snow could linger in the Great Lakes region, while northern New England may experience light snow or flurries in higher elevations. Coastal Southeast areas and parts of Florida could see scattered showers, potentially impacting outdoor meals or evening travel. Across the central Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and much of the South, conditions are expected to be cold but mostly dry.
An arctic air mass is forecast to move south and east, bringing below-average temperatures for much of the northern and central United States. The northern Plains and Upper Midwest may stay below freezing, with highs in the teens and 20s, and wind chills making it feel colder. In the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, highs are expected in the upper 20s to low 40s. Along the East Coast, New England will see 30s to low 40s with some snow in elevated areas, the Mid-Atlantic will be in the 40s and 50s, and the Southeast will range from the 50s to low 70s, reaching the 80s in parts of Florida. The western U.S. will generally be warmer and dry, with California, Nevada, and the Southwest seeing highs in the 60s and 70s, while mountainous regions such as the Rockies and Sierra Nevada remain colder with intermittent snow.
For travelers, the main disruptions are expected from Monday through Wednesday, while Thanksgiving Day itself will be mostly dry for much of the country. Residents and travelers in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes snowbelts, and northern New England should continue monitoring local forecasts for potential rain, snow, and wind. Overall, most Americans can expect a cold but dry Thanksgiving, though some regions may still experience unsettled weather.
