The streak of warm weather and free of snow that has characterized November in the western new york could come to an end just as millions of people plan to travel across the Thanksgiving Dayone of the most important holidays in the United States. According to weather forecasts, a classic atmospheric pattern known as “polar cross flow” channel arctic air from the northwest of Canada towards him northeast of the country, bringing with it a drastic decrease in temperatures and possible winter storms.
Until November 22, Buffalo had recorded an average of 9°C, making it the warmest November since records began in 1873. Additionally, the city had not received a single snowfall until that date, marking the latest onset of the snow season in the region since data began to be recorded in the 1880s, according to data from ABC News.
The combination of unusually high temperatures and the absence of snow has been especially notable in the Los Angeles area. Great Lakeswhere the water of Lake Erie is at 11 °C, a value that has only been recorded on one other occasion for this time of year: 1931. Curiously, the winter of 1931-1932 was marked by intense snowfall, accumulating a total of 1.89 meters in Buffalo.
However, weather experts warn that these conditions will not last much longer. “We are experiencing an extraordinarily warm November, but things are about to change,” said the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service in your account X.
Meteorological models indicate that the polar cross flow will allow a mass of cold air to move towards the northern plains of the United Stateslater extending to northeast and affecting regions such as Buffalo and the Great Lakes in the days after Thanksgiving Day. This pattern of arctic winds could intensify the phenomenon known as “lake effect snow”in which the warm waters of the Lake Erie They feed local storms with large accumulations of snow.
In this context, it is expected that the northeast face “some weather shenanigans,” according to experts, which translates into possible winter storms that could complicate road and air travel. Just as millions of Americans are planning their trips to reunite with family and friends, winter conditions could cause significant delays and dangers on major routes.
He Thanksgiving Day is one of the Busiest holidays in the United Stateswith more than 55 million people traveling in 2023, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Of this total, around 49 million choose to travel by car, while another 4.7 million travel by plane.
While the days leading up to the holiday are often chaotic, this year it could be even more complicated due to the expected adverse weather conditions. Travelers passing through the northeast and the region of Great Lakes They could face snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and strong winds, increasing the risk of accidents and delays.
The airports in Buffalo and surrounding areas could also experience disruptions, as well as possible flight cancellations or rescheduling due to snow storms and low temperatures. Meteorologists urge travelers to stay informed about weather updates and consider adjusting their plans to avoid the worst conditions.
With the official start of meteorological winter On December 1, residents of Buffalo and other cities of the northeast are being urged to prepare for impending winter conditions. This includes verifying that your vehicles are equipped with snow tiresstock up on basic supplies such as food and flashlights, and protect their homes against subzero temperatures.
In addition, local authorities recommend placing the christmas decorations as soon as possible to avoid doing it in the middle of a snow storm or frigid temperatures. “This is the perfect time to bring out the winter clothes and make sure we are ready for what is coming,” said a local meteorologist.
