Winter ‘here to stay,’ STL forecasters say. When is the best time for Thanksgiving travel?
More than 43% of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving in 2022, and with the St. Louis area’s recent up-and-down forecasts, many may be wondering what the holiday will be like.
Temperatures will be “well below normal” in the St. Louis metropolitan area starting Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis.
From Nov. 11 to Nov. 16, the NWS St. Louis forecasts temperatures will be around 20 degrees in the morning and only heat up to the 30s to 40s in the afternoon in the metro area.
The Farmers’ Almanac, which uses a secret formula to make its predictions, expects a “mostly fair, cold” Thanksgiving in Illinois and some surrounding states this year. The almanac’s Thanksgiving forecast is valid from Nov. 24 to 27.
While Illinois is in the almanac’s “Zone 2,” Missouri is in “Zone 4” along with Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Residents of Zone 4 should expect a “mostly fair Thanksgiving followed by heavy snows (up to 12′) for Northern, Central Rockies,” the Farmers’ Almanac reports.
Could Thanksgiving be a lucky time to travel?
The Farmers’ Almanac monthly Best Days calendar advises readers on its predictions for the best times to perform a variety of activities, from waxing floors, to asking for a loan, to getting married. The calendar is based on the moon’s phase and place in the zodiac.
The best days to travel for pleasure this month are Nov. 23 and 24, according to the almanac. Thanksgiving is Nov. 24, so you may be in luck if you plan to travel on the holiday.
Those who plan to hold a celebration a bit later are also in good fortune, as the almanac says Nov. 27 is the “Best Day” to host a party.
Here are the Farmers’ Almanac’s “Best Days” recommendations for all activities from Nov. 23 to 27:
According to the Almanac, Nov. 23 is the “Best Day” to:
Potty train
Wean
Wash windows
Cut firewood
Kill plant pests
Dig holes
Mow to increase growth
Castrate farm animals
Advertise to sell
Travel for pleasure
Hatch eggs
Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving):
Potty train
Wean
Wash windows
Cut firewood
Kill plant pests
Dig holes
Mow to increase growth
Castrate farm animals
Advertise to sell
Travel for pleasure
Nov. 25:
Bake
Cut hair to increase growth
Potty train
Wean
Wax floors
Cut firewood
Dig holes
Mow to increase growth
Castrate farm animals
Nov. 26:
Bake
Cut hair to increase growth
Potty train
Wean
Wax floors
Cut firewood
Dig holes
Mow to increase growth
Castrate farm animals
Nov. 27:
Paint
Cut firewood
Kill plant pests
Dig holes
Mow to increase growth
Castrate farm animals
Host a party
Potty train
Wean
“According to Farmers’ Almanac’s long-standing proprietary formula, when the moon is in the appropriate phase and place in the zodiac, it’s widely believed that activities will be more fruitful or lead to improved results,” the Farmers Almanac website reads. “The period between the new and full moon (first and second quarters) is considered as the best time to perform tasks that require strength, fertility and growth. The period between the full and new moon (third and fourth quarters) is best for harvesting, slowing growth, etc. Consideration is also given to the relationship the moon has with the 12 ruling signs of the zodiac.”
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 10:59 AM.
