Polar vortex to hit Northeast Ohio during holiday travel rush
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Airlines expect up to 31 million travelers will fly during Thanksgiving holiday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The National Weather Service warns the "polar vortex" could bring "cooler than normal temperatures" across the Midwest the rest of this week.
Why it matters: Frigid temperatures are set to coincide with a record number of Americans expected to embark on Thanksgiving holiday travel.
Zoom in: Temperatures in Northeast Ohio have a 40%-50% chance of being below normal through Sunday.
- It will dip near or below 30 degrees Wednesday night and remain at or under 40 degrees for several days.
- A few inches of snow are also expected.
The big picture: The NWS says the extreme weather may have started as early as Tuesday in some parts of the country, "with spatial coverage and confidence increasing during the Nov 26-30 period."
By the numbers: AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1.
- At least 73 million people, or 90% of Thanksgiving travelers, are expected to travel by car, while bus, train and cruise travel will increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people.
Above the clouds: AAA predicts that 6 million people will travel by air, but the Transportation Security Administration said in a Friday news release that it expects to screen more than 17.8 million people.
- TSA is expecting over 3 million flyers on Sunday alone, so it's crucial to arrive early and with your Real ID or passport to reduce your chances of having a security nightmare.
On the roads: The Ohio Department of Transportation expects lighter holiday traffic in Cleveland Wednesday through Friday, with things getting busier Saturday through Monday.
- Drivers looking for the least frustrating ride should shoot to arrive before 11am, according to transportation analytics firm INRIX.
- Afternoon and evening car rides will face the worst traffic.
