Arctic Freeze: MD Thanksgiving Weekend Forecast, Travel Outlook

BALTIMORE, MD — The coldest temperatures to make Marylanders' teeth chatter since February will plunge the state into the deep freeze Thanksgiving weekend. Officials warn drivers headed out on highways to have blankets and other supplies in case of a breakdown, while Black Friday shoppers out in pre-dawn hours should dress in warm layers to stave off the chill. The National Weather Service in Baltimore has posted a hazardous weather outlook for the state.

"The coldest airmass since last February is expected to arrive tonight. Wind chills will be in the teens and 20s late tonight," the National Weather Service wrote. Wind chills will be in the teens and 20s Thursday and actual air temperatures will be in the teens for many areas Thursday night. While the Northeast faces snow squalls, Maryland won't likely see precipitation until Saturday, but we'll be hit with arctic air Wednesday night, Nov. 21, and it will stick around for a few days.

Fliers leaving Baltimore-Washington International Airport Wednesday through Friday shouldn't have problems, but we'll see if weekend rains slow things down. Some of those passengers are going to cart turkey, pies, gravy, Jell-O molds and other holiday goodies with them. So brace yourself as Transportation Security Administration screeners try to educate airline customers about what foods can go in carry-on bags, and what must be checked. Authorities estimate 40,000 travelers a day will pass through BWI Airport during the Thanksgiving travel period, so travelers are encouraged to get to the airport early during Thanksgiving week.

The 2018 holiday weekend will see the highest number of vehicles on the road since 2005, with 1.1 million more people traveling compared to last year. AAA Mid-Atlantic projects that for the fourth consecutive year, travel counts for the holiday will exceed one million. In most cases, the best days to travel will be on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23 or Nov. 24. Highways will be at their most packed on Sunday, Nov. 25, as most holiday travelers head home after the long weekend.

SEE ALSO:

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• MD Thanksgiving Store Closures 2018: TJ Maxx, Nordstrom And More
  
• Maryland Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving 2018
  
• How To Avoid Thanksgiving Home Cooking Fire

Maryland State Police will have extra troopers on the road starting Wednesday night, particularly in areas where there have been more frequent crashes or impaired driving arrests. Troopers from all 23 barracks statewide will be on the lookout for impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving and other violations, officials said.

The Maryland Transportation Authority, which patrols toll roads, tunnels and bridges, will be out in addition to state police this holiday targeting impaired drivers, those not wearing their seat belts, people engaged in criminal activity and drivers who are aggressive or distracted.
Authorities remind motorists that texting and driving is illegal in the state of Maryland, as is using a handheld cell phone.

Drinkers are encouraged designate a sober driver or get the Safer Ride app, which is sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and pulls up taxi services in the area.

Here's the Maryland forecast for Thanksgiving weekend:

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 32. North wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Saturday: Rain, mainly after noon. High near 52. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Photo of travelers Nov 21 at BWI Airport by Patch Editor Elizabeth Janney