Weather may complicate Thanksgiving journey plans for some Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Nearly 3 million Ohioans are anticipated to drive to their Thanksgiving vacation locations this week, in accordance with AAA, and specialists say to concentrate to the forecast earlier than beginning the trek residence after the vacation.

Snow or rain is forecast to affect roads statewide this weekend, together with the already anticipated heavy vacation visitors.

“That could complicate things on the weekend because we are expecting another very heavy travel day on Sunday as everybody returns home from Thanksgiving,” mentioned Matt Bruning with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Bruning mentioned ODOT crews are pre-treating roads round Cleveland, the place they’re anticipating some challenges with lake-effect snow for drivers touring the I-90 hall. Then, within the southern components of the state, there are considerations over rain transitioning to snow.  

“We’re expecting, in some cases, maybe a foot of snow in portions of northeast Ohio,” Bruning mentioned. “All of our county managers will be keeping an eye on those forecasts, models to see when we might need to get people out on the roadway to keep everybody safe for the holidays.” 

AAA suggests drivers who’ve flexibility of their plans go away early within the morning and earlier within the weekend. Historically, there’s a surge of vacationers on Sunday.  

“Almost everybody’s trying to get back Sunday evening before the kids go back to school, and a lot of people have to be back at work on Monday,” mentioned Morgan Dean with AAA.  

Bruning mentioned it’s vital to control the forecast earlier than hitting the highway and permit loads of further time for visitors slowdowns and climate delays.