Nasty Thanksgiving Travel Weather Predicted

Brace for Impact: The National Weather Service is predicting snow, sleet, rain and cold here as Thanksgiving approaches.

Just in Time for Travel: Snow, sleet,cold and rain are all in the forecast in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Patch File Photo

As one of the busiest travel periods of the year gets underway in the days leading up to the Thanksgiving, government forecasters are warning people in our areas and all over the Northeast to prepare for a rough ride.

Here's the National Weather Service Forecast for Phoenixville and surrounding areas:

Sunday: Chance of Flurries High: 31 °F

Sunday Night Mostly Clear Low: 17 °F

Monday Mostly Sunny High: 37 °F

Monday Night Mostly Cloudy Low: 27 °F

Tuesday  Snow/Sleet High: 42 °F

Tuesday Night Rain Low: 35 °F

Wednesday Rain High: 41 °F

Wednesday Night Chance Rain/Snow Low: 26 °F

Thanksgiving Day Mostly Sunny High: 36 °F

Here's is the National Weather Service Executive Summaryof what to expect as  a Nor'easter approaches the region:

• A nor’easter is possible from late Tuesday November 26ththrough Wednesday, November 27th. Based on current model guidance,the most vulnerable time for the mid-Atlantic region will be starting Tuesday night and continuing into daytime Wednesday.
• As with all nor’easters, strong northeasterly winds and periods of heavy rain can be expected. With recent dry conditions, the probability of large stream and main stem river flooding is low. However...roadway and poor drainage flooding is possible.
• Some snow is possible with this storm, especially in the higher elevations of eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. With the storm still at least 3 days away, specific snowfall amounts are not yet available. More detail on potential snowfall will be provided in Sunday’s briefing package.
• Coastal flooding is a threat with this storm. Minor coastal flooding is likely; moderate coastal flooding is possible. The high tides to watch are the ones on Wednesday.
• The timing of this storm will impact Thanksgiving holiday travel. Travel conditions will deteriorate Tuesday night as strong onshore winds and rain move into the region. These conditions will persist into daytime Wednesday, improving later Wednesday night.
• Before this nor’easter, the region will experience an arctic blast this weekend. On Sunday, the cold will really be noticeable with high temperatures only in the mid 20s north and mid 30s south. Strong winds in the 25 to 35 mph range will make conditions feel even colder. The combination of strong winds and very dry air will elevate the fire weather threat on Sunday.
• More detailed information will be available as we get closer to the event. Another briefing update will be issued Sunday afternoon.