NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – AAA is predicting that 55.4 million Americans will travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period, the third-highest travel numbers on record. Ahead of the hustle, Gov. Kathy Hochul warned New York residents to take caution as a snowstorm is forecasted to slam the Western and Northern region of the state.
Hochul said in a statement Friday that state forecasters and the National Weather Service are continuing to monitor the situation, and she has alerted her state agencies (Homeland Security, DOT, Thruway Authority, National Guard, Parks and DEC) to prepare.
“We are preparing for the worst case scenario and warning motorists and homeowners and people now who will be traveling locally and outside the region to alter your travel plans now. Do not make next Wednesday be your main day to travel or else you'll get stuck,” Hochul said.
TSA predicted that between Friday, Nov. 17 and Tuesday, Nov. 28 there would be 30 million people passing through TSA security checkpoints, with the busiest travel days historically being the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday, and the Sunday after.
Just in time for these extra busy travel days, New York City will get hit with rain Tuesday night following a chilly – albeit dry – weekend and start of next week, according to AccuWeather.
The forecaster said that the city will experience a soaking rain and windy conditions Wednesday, especially in the morning, which will slow travel.
The New York City Department of Emergency Management posted on X Friday confirming that they were working with the city’s National Weather Service “to monitor possible inclement weather Tuesday into Wednesday, with a few inches of rain and strong winds.”