Millions of Americans faced travel challenges as a powerful coast-to-coast storm brought rain and snow on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, some stores stayed open for last-minute holiday essentials.
Thanksgiving Travel Hits a Snag
The Thanksgiving holiday travel rush saw disruptions as a storm moved from the Rockies to the Midwest and Northeast. Rain and snow impacted flights and road travel, creating headaches for many. The storm began in the Rockies on Wednesday morning and continued eastward, intensifying on Thanksgiving Day.
Major delays occurred in cities like Denver, Boston, and Dallas. Nearly 4,000 flights were delayed, and 45 were cancelled by Wednesday night, according to FlightAware. Denver led delays with 600 flights affected, while Newark faced a ground delay due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
Airlines worked hard to manage the chaos. American Airlines operated nearly 6,400 flights on Tuesday and expected over 650,000 passengers on Wednesday. Snow and ice added to the delays, requiring extensive plane deicing at major airports.
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Rain and Snow Affect Roads and Flights
The storm caused challenging conditions for drivers. Rain, snow, and icy weather spread across cities from St. Louis to Pittsburgh. Early Thanksgiving morning, cold rain hit the I-95 corridor from Richmond to Boston.
Despite the issues, the Transportation Security Administration expected to screen nearly 3 million passengers on Wednesday. Over 71.7 million people planned to drive, marking a record for Thanksgiving travel.
What Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving?
Many Americans needed last-minute groceries and essentials, but most major stores, including Walmart, remained closed. “If you’re thinking of visiting a Walmart on Thanksgiving, you’ll be out of luck,” reports confirmed.
Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving
Some grocery chains operated with limited hours. Central Market opened from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., while Food Lion operated from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. H-E-B stores opened early but closed by noon. Kroger’s hours varied, with most stores closing by 4 p.m.
Whole Foods and Wegmans kept select stores open for limited hours. “Check your local store’s website for its status,” officials advised.
Convenience Stores Open for Thanksgiving Essentials
CVS operated some pharmacies from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walgreens’ 24-hour pharmacy locations remained open, while most stores closed. Dollar General provided extended hours for Thanksgiving shoppers.
Dining Out: Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
For those skipping home-cooked meals, Cracker Barrel offered traditional Thanksgiving meals from 11 a.m. Dunkin’ locations operated with varying hours, while McDonald’s franchises followed individual schedules.
Burger King stayed open, but Chick-fil-A and Olive Garden closed for the holiday. Restaurant chains like Cracker Barrel helped many enjoy Thanksgiving meals away from home.
Retail Stores Remain Closed
Most clothing and department stores, including JCPenney, Macy’s, and TJ Maxx, closed on Thanksgiving. They planned to reopen on Friday for holiday shopping.
Weather Woes Continue
WMUR weather updates warned of worsening conditions through Thanksgiving. Rain, ice, and snow were forecasted across the Northeast. Travellers were urged to monitor WMUR for real-time weather and traffic updates.
Despite disruptions, millions celebrated Thanksgiving with family, food, and gratitude. Planning ahead and knowing which stores are open can make the holiday less stressful.
FAQs About Thanksgiving 2024
Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving?
Ans: Yes, most Starbucks locations are open on Thanksgiving, but hours may vary by location. Check with your nearest store.
What football games are on Thanksgiving?
Ans: Thanksgiving traditionally features NFL games. Check the schedule for matchups like the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys games.
Is Target open on Thanksgiving?
Ans: No, Target stores are closed on Thanksgiving to allow employees to enjoy the holiday.
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving 2024?
Ans: No, Walmart stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day in 2024.
Is Kroger open on Thanksgiving?
Ans: Yes, Kroger is open on Thanksgiving, but hours vary. Many stores close by 4 p.m., so check locally.
