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As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, inclement weather is likely to disrupt travel plans for many Americans. With storms forecasted to affect various regions, the best view of the New York Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade might be from the comfort of your living room.

Starting Tuesday, an atmospheric river event is expected to bring heavy rain and snow to parts of central California, according to the National Weather Service. While the Pacific Northwest is set to experience a break from recent stormy weather, other regions are bracing for challenging conditions.

Denver International Airport is a particular concern, with a forecast of 1 to 3 inches of snow on Wednesday potentially causing flight delays. Other major cities like Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Nashville are also anticipating snow or rain that could hinder both air and road travel.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) forecasts its busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, with 18.3 million people expected to be screened from Tuesday through December 2nd—a 6% increase from 2023. TSA Administrator David Pekoske noted that 2024 has already seen record-breaking travel volumes.

Areas like the Sierra Nevadas could receive up to 10 feet of snow before the long weekend. Travelers through Donner Pass on Monday and Tuesday should be prepared for difficult conditions. Fortunately, travel in the West should improve after the storm passes, with only some showers expected in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the interior Northeast will likely see snow on Thanksgiving Day, though coastal cities from Boston to Washington, D.C., are more likely to experience rain. Black Friday brings the potential for significant lake-effect snow in cities like Grand Rapids, South Bend, Syracuse, and Erie.

With AAA predicting that nearly 79.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving—1.7 million more than last year—this year's holiday travel is set to break records. Lower gas prices, which may drop below $3.00 nationally, are expected to contribute to the surge.

For those planning to fly, it's a high-demand period with increased fares. Experts recommend booking holiday trips early for the best deals. Wind gusts exceeding 20 mph could affect regions from the Tennessee Valley to the Virginia coastline and the Northeast, potentially impacting parades in New York City and Philadelphia.

The extended holiday weekend's weather remains uncertain, with the possibility of a fast-moving system bringing drier conditions or a lingering storm affecting travel. "We'll just have to watch how the storm evolves," remarked AccuWeather's Tyler Roys.