Forecasters say rain is possible across New Jersey on Thanksgiving, but Wednesday's big travel day should be mostly dry.
Whether you're planning to travel out of town or across town for Thanksgiving this week, be prepared for the possibility of some wet weather.
Forecasters are expecting a low pressure system to move from the Great Lakes to the Northeast region on Wednesday or Thursday, bringing a 40 to 50 percent chance of rain for northern and central New Jersey on the holiday. For South Jersey, the rain probability on Thanksgiving is about 30 percent.
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For now, Wednesday's big travel day is shaping up to be mostly dry and sunny in New Jersey, with temperatures in the 40s, but there's a possibility the rain could move in late Wednesday night or overnight into early Thursday morning.
Because of colder temperatures during those hours, an earlier arrival could pose the risk of some snow or sleet mixing in with the rain for a while in hilly areas, primarily north of Interstate 80, the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.
"The likelihood of travel impacts from a brief wintry mix is lower if precipitation arrives during the day Thursday," the weather service said.
Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy on Thanksgiving across the Garden State, with high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s in northern areas to the mid-50s in southern areas.
Out-of-state travel outlook
If you're heading out of state for Thanksgiving gatherings, AccuWeather forecasters are predicting a stormy weather pattern that could affect millions of people traveling by car or plane.
The biggest trouble spots will likely be in the Midwest, with snow expected in Minnesota and northern Michigan.
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Stormy weather, mostly in the form of rain, is possible Wednesday in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to AccuWeather. In addition, a line of rain and thunderstorms could extend from Nashville to Houston.
"Severe thunderstorms will not erupt, but the thunderstorms can produce downpours that will lead to reduced visibility and heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds," AccuWeather said in its Thanksgiving travel outlook.
Out-of-state travelers may also want to pay attention to the wildfires that have been burning in the southern Appalachians, which forecasters say could generate thick smoke that could impede drivers in parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.