2023 Thanksgiving Travel Outlook

This week is among the busiest for turbulence forecasts. Reviewing the forecast data and maps in preparation for the upcoming week has led me to realize that the days leading up to Thanksgiving travel could be among the most turbulent since we began monitoring in 2005.

The jet stream, which is notably active during winter, is primarily responsible for this. Its uneven and strong nature is expected to cause very bumpy flights. Fortunately, adverse weather isn't a major concern; rather, it's the irregular wind speeds at altitude that are anticipated to result in exceptionally rough flights. On a positive note, long-term outlooks suggest that return flights after Thanksgiving are expected to be much smoother, unseasonably so.

Try our new automated forecast to get a better idea of when and where the bumps will be!