### Severe Storms to Disrupt Thanksgiving Travel

As millions gear up for Thanksgiving travel, two potent storm systems are projected to cause significant disruptions across the United States this week. The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center has warned about a "rapidly strengthening and extremely powerful low pressure system" expected to unleash damaging winds of up to 70 mph in parts of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. This meteorological phenomenon, known as bombogenesis or a bomb cyclone, will create havoc in the Pacific Northwest.

On Wednesday, this system will initiate an "atmospheric river event," bringing heavy rainfall and snow over several days to the affected regions. Blizzard conditions are anticipated in the higher elevations, particularly throughout the Washington Cascades, as heavy snowfall combines with the system.

Concurrently, a second storm system that caused severe thunderstorms in the central and southern Plains on Monday—and led to a tornado in Oklahoma—will clash with arctic air while moving north. This collision is expected to produce widespread snow across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parts of North Dakota could see up to a foot of snow, and gusty winds may result in reduced visibility on roadways.

Meanwhile, an upper-level low pressure system is forecast to develop over the Great Lakes later this week, bringing cooler temperatures and cold rain from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast. Accumulating snow is expected for the central Appalachians and parts of the Northeast, with up to a foot of snow predicted for higher elevations in West Virginia and Maryland on Thursday and Friday.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center's outlook suggests above-average rain chances for the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest, and Great Lakes early next week. Travel during this period is expected to be particularly challenging, with AAA anticipating nearly 80 million people to travel more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving. Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be the busiest travel days.