Thanksgiving storm updates: Severe weather threatens travel

Heavy rain is impacting the Southeast on Wednesday.

Last Updated: November 22, 2023, 8:42 AM EST

A storm is sweeping across the U.S. threatening Americans' Thanksgiving plans as they hit the roads and head to airports during one of the busiest holiday travel weeks of the year.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 21, 2023, 3:13 PM EST

Latest forecast

Heavy rain and gusty winds are hitting Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon, impacting those hitting the road for Thanksgiving.

By 7 p.m. Tuesday, the storms will be ending for Atlanta. But in Charlotte, the rain and wind will last through 11 p.m. In D.C., the heaviest rain will hit from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

PHOTO: Tuesday weather map graphic
ABC News

In New York City, the heaviest rain will hit overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

PHOTO: Wednesday weather map graphic
ABC News

The rain will keep moving north, reaching Boston by Wednesday morning.

PHOTO: Wednesday weather map
ABC News

The East Coast will dry out by 5 p.m. Wednesday, with only lingering rain and snow in Maine.

Nov 21, 2023, 10:54 AM EST

New York City issues travel advisory

A travel advisory is in effect for New York City, where the rain is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Eric Adams said travelers should be prepared for heavy rain and strong winds, and he urged people to give themselves extra time on the roads.

Nov 21, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

TSA administrator's advice for Thanksgiving travelers

TSA Administrator David Pekoske expects a record number of travelers this Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Pekoske told ABC News' "Good Morning America" on Tuesday he's confident the TSA has enough agents for the holiday rush.

David Pekoske shares the steps the agency is taking to ensure the millions of travelers moving through airports will get to their destinations safely during the busy holiday week.
3:07

TSA administrator on plan to handle record Thanksgiving travelers

David Pekoske shares the steps the agency is taking to ensure the millions of travelers moving through airports will get to their destinations safely during the busy holiday week.
ABCNews.com

He said his best advice for Thanksgiving travelers is to "give yourself a little extra time."

"Airports are gonna be busy, aircraft are gonna be full. Give yourself a little extra time. It'll take the stress off and it'll allow you to prepare for anything," he said.

Travelers make their way through a TSA security checkpoint at Denver International Airport, Nov. 20, 2023, in Denver.
Aaron M. Sprecher/AP

Pekoske also encourages passengers to thank the airport staffers who are working over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Nov 21, 2023, 8:42 AM EST

Latest forecast

Both Atlanta and Charlotte can expect to see rain for much of the day Tuesday along with strong wind gusts at times, making delays at airports almost a certainty.

The rain is expected to reach Washington, D.C., around 10 a.m. Tuesday and New York City around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The I-95 corridor will see its heaviest rain arriving after 8 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2023 and continue until about 6 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2023.
ABC News

The heaviest rain for the Interstate 95 travel corridor -- one of the busiest nationwide -- is forecast to begin after 8 p.m. Tuesday and continue until about 6 a.m. Wednesday. Flash flooding is possible along I-95, so those driving to reach their Thanksgiving destinations should exercise extreme caution.

The I-95 corridor will see its heaviest rain arriving after 8 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2023 and continue until about 6 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2023.
ABC News

The I-95 corridor will see its heaviest rain arriving after 8 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2023 and continue until about 6 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2023.
ABC News

A few tornadoes are possible across south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday.

Snow is expected to start in northern New England on Tuesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday night. Six to 12 inches of snowfall is in the forecast for parts of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.