What to expect weather-wise for regional Thanksgiving travel

Besides cooking, one of the other major features of the Thanksgiving holiday is traveling.

Millions of people will hit the roads over the next week to travel and meet up with their loved ones.

Those in the valley who are planning to drive to any of the neighboring areas to enjoy their holiday weekend, being prepared for weather is key to any trip, especially with an increased amount of motorists set to hit the highways.

Here’s what Pahrump travelers can expect if they stay in town or embark on a Thanksgiving trip in the area.

Pahrump

If staying in town is the holiday plan, then residents can expect pleasant weather during the next few days.

Today will be sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Winds will be moderate from the south at 7-to-15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 37 degrees, with east-northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.

Thanksgiving Day is expected to be sunny, with a high near 62 degrees. Winds will be out of the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph. Thanksgiving evening will be clear, with a low around 34 degrees.

Friday will be sunny with a high near 64 degrees, with the low dropping to 39 degrees overnight.

Las Vegas

Those heading over the hump for their holiday, a day of winds is the only issue weather-wise for the days surrounding Turkey Day.

Wednesday will reach a high of 65 degrees in Las Vegas, with sustained winds blowing out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 21 mph are possible. The low will cool to 47 degrees Wednesday night.

Thanksgiving Day will top out at 63 degrees as families gather to enjoy each other’s company and of course feast. A low of 44 degrees is expected Thanksgiving night.

If getting out to see the sights of Las Vegas are on your docket Friday, expect a mild high of 64 degrees. The low will hit 46 degrees overnight Friday.

Tonopah

If traveling to Tonopah is in your Thanksgiving plans, there is not much to mention aside from some gusty conditions Wednesday.

Winds will be out of the south at five to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph Wednesday, with a high temperature of 45 degrees. The overnight low will dip to 26 degrees.

On Thanksgiving, it will be sunny, with a high of 47 degrees expected in the day and a low of 29 degrees overnight. On Friday the high will reach 50 degrees, creating a perfect time to get outside and do something to burn off a few of the calories packed on the during the prior day’s feast.

Adding to the holiday traffic between the two towns will be fans traveling between Reno and Las Vegas for the football game between UNLV and Reno in Las Vegas.

Southern California

For those heading out of the Silver State to Southern California, expect mild temperatures for the Turkey Day celebration.

Temperatures will range from the low 60s to upper 70s between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with mostly sunny conditions throughout the three days. Lows will range between the low 40s to the mid-50s in the Southern California area.

Motorists are warned to prepare for travel delays on I-15 as the influx of travelers will create increased traffic. The Regional Transportation Commission said that I-15 southbound traffic at Primm could cause delays of up to one hour and 40 minutes between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (with the most congestion between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) Sunday, Nov. 27.

Northern California

High temperatures in the northern part of the Golden State will range from the mid-50s to lower 60s through much of Northern California for the holiday weekend.

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions are expected Wednesday, then a system will move into the San Francisco area on Thursday, bringing a chance of rain Thanksgiving Day and Friday around the Bay Area.

Phoenix area

Wednesday will be sunny, with a high near 71 degrees in the Phoenix area. There will be a slight breeze with south winds of 5 mph becoming north-northwest in the afternoon. Overnight will be mostly clear, with a low around 51 degrees, with west-northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thanksgiving Day will see a high of 74 degrees with a slight 5-mph breeze out of the north-northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 49 degrees. The northwest wind will stick around overnight at 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Friday will top out at 73 degrees Friday, with 5-mph breezes, cooling off to 50 degrees overnight.

Utah

If traveling to Utah for your Thanksgiving Day celebration, varying weather conditions can be expected depending what part of the state you’re in.

If plans take you up to Salt Lake City, expect rainy conditions Wednesday. Thanksgiving Day presents a chance of snow. High temperatures will range from the mid-40s to mid-50s over the holiday, with lows dipping to the low to mid-30s.

St. George will be warmer and drier than Salt Lake, as highs are expected between the upper 60s and low 70s with plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Lows will range in the low-to-upper 30s throughout the holiday.

Source: The National Weather Service.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.