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Some of the Most Infamous Thanksgiving Weather Events

Alexis Thornton

2 hours ago
A street blanketed in towering snowdrifts recalls some of America’s most infamous Thanksgiving storms — blizzards that turned family gatherings into survival stories. (Wikimedia)

The transitional month of November is known for serving up a variety of weather elements, making the holiday prone to stormy conditions. Here is a look back at some of the most notorious Thanksgiving weather events.

2019 West Coast Bomb Cyclone

A 2019 bomb cyclone brought hurricane-force winds, flash floods, and rare hail from Seattle to Los Angeles, disrupting millions of travelers. (Wikimedia / NOAA)

This storm came ashore in Northern California and southern Oregon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The system reached the status of a bomb cyclone on Thanksgiving Eve, sending winds approaching hurricane force speeds over Seattle.

The weather maker pushed into Southern California by the end of the week, resulting in unseasonably heavy rain for major metro areas such as Los Angeles. Not surprisingly, the bomb cyclone triggered major travel disruptions up and down the West Coast. For instance, roads were submerged in up to 2 feet of water in San Diego. Thanksgiving Eve even brought a rare hail event for Los Angeles.

Colder temperatures in the higher terrains resulted in snowfall for elevations over 3,000 feet. The storm eventually moved into Nevada and Arizona, causing travel issues for Americans heading home after the holiday. Three people were killed in Arizona after they tried to cross Tonto Creek in the rushing waters.

2018 Bitter Cold and 1997 High Winds in New York City


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