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It's officially that time of the year when travel picks up amid the holidays. Many people are getting ready to spend this Thanksgiving with friends and other loved ones they haven't seen for a very long time.

In light of this, airlines have to prepare for a surge in demand, something that's proven challenging in post-COVID years. Certain travel disruptions were so serious that US government officials, like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, found themselves forced to get involved.

This year, it remains to be seen how the airlines manage. However, inclement weather is projected to have negative impacts on people who have yet to leave for their Thanksgiving trips.

Important information for Thanksgiving travelers to be aware of

So far, this weekend is expected to bring storms, snow, and heavy rain to certain parts of the country, namely the central and eastern areas. Some of the weather projections remain moderate; although others could force airlines to delay or cancel flights altogether.

The National Weather Service has likewise cautioned that even folks planning to drive across the country for Thanksgiving should heed warnings. Extremely heavy winds could lead to objects flying and potentially crashing into trees and cars.

After the weekend, inclement weather could still prove to be problematic. In the south, thunderstorms, hail, and heavy winds are likely to land on Monday.

Dodging travel inconveniences during the holidays

Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when people most look forward to going on trips and seeing loved ones they've missed for most of the year.

Sadly, travel disruptions now frequently emerge during the holidays. Typically, the weather, airline complications (overbooked flights, staffing shortages), or something else ends up causing problems.

If feasible, travelers should consider departing for their holiday trips before the days leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Leaving even one week before the big day itself can help with dodging inconveniences that have ruined many people's holidays.

In the meantime, folks with upcoming trips should monitor both the weather and updates from their airlines. These are the best ways to know whether or not scheduled trips will proceed as planned.