Farmers’ Almanac Reveals Its 2026 Thanksgiving Weather Outlook
Halloween is not even here yet, but forecasters are already looking ahead to Thanksgiving. The Farmers' Almanac has released its Thanksgiving forecast, offering a look at what you might expect if you are headed to grandma's house for the holiday. The good news is that there does not appear to be any major storms that will cause widespread travel disruptions for the holiday on Thursday, November, 26. Here is your early Thanksgiving outlook.
Cool but Clear in the Eastern U.S.
The verdict is in. The annual Farmers' Almanac Thanksgiving regional forecast is calling for a mix of cool temperatures, rain, and snow across the U.S. While there are no widespread storms expected, that does not mean that weather may not have an impact on travel on a regional level. The brewing Super El Niño will certainly have something to say about that.
The Farmers' Almanac is predicting mostly cool but clear conditions for the mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, and New England. The exception to this rule will be at the higher elevations, where sporadic snow flurries could give a preview of the winter.
The Southeast will be the place to be if you are looking for the best weather. The almanac is calling for dry conditions, mild temperatures, and plentiful sunshine, making for ideal weather for those annual turkey trots and Thanksgiving Day parades.
Mixed Bag of Weather in the Central U.S.
You will find a little bit of everything in the central U.S. The Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and the Midwest may feel more like Christmas than Thanksgiving due to colder temperatures and the threat of scattered snow showers. Although this snow is not likely to be a major event, there may be enough flakes to cause brief travel disruptions. The Farmers' Almanac includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin in this zone.
Weather is expected to fall along seasonal averages for much of the Upper Midwest and the north-central Plains states, including Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and to the west into Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. Light snow could make an appearance at times.
Heading to the south across the nation's midsection, states such as Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico will enjoy mostly dry conditions with the chance of widespread storms unlikely. The mercury could fall a little below seasonal averages in some of these areas.
Typical Weather Out West
The western third of the nation will see weather in line with what you would expect at the end of November. The Farmers' Almanac is predicting that the Pacific Northwest will be under its typical fall chill, with the threat of scattered rain showers putting a damper on Thanksgiving Day flag football games.
As always, there is a chance that snow in the higher elevations could impact travel across mountain passes in Washington and Oregon. The interior portions of the West could also see mountain snow.
Light rain is a good possibility for Northern California. While Southern California could see a few disruptions, this is still just outside the time of year when the Pacific storm train really starts chugging along.
Keep in mind that the Farmers' Almanac forecast only looks at historical averages and what the long-range forecast is indicating. For example, while the expectation of a strong El Niño influence sheds a little light on how the weather may unfold on the holiday, it is not a forecast to count on with certainty.
Thanksgiving is historically one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year for travel, both by air and by car. We will continue to keep tabs on what Mother Nature has up her sleeve in the weeks ahead so that you can plan accordingly. Stay with us for all of the latest Turkey Day predictions.
Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.