Tucson Thanksgiving Travel Forecast: Winter Storm Watch Issued

TUCSON, AZ — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch that could affect Tucson area Thanksgiving drivers Thursday night through Friday night. Those traveling other days or times won’t have much to worry about though. Here’s the Thanksgiving forecast to help you plan when to — and not to — travel in the Tucson area this week.

Monday, Nov. 25: The forecast for tonight indicates partly cloudy skies, a 20 percent chance of rain after 11 p.m. and a low temperature of about 46 degrees. A 9-14 mph wind will be coming from the south/southwest.

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Though sunny skies are predicted for daytime Tuesday, there is also a 20 percent chance of rain before 11 a.m. Temperatures are expected to reach about 62 degrees, with a 5-9 mph south/southwest wind that changes to west/northwest in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 44 degrees and a 6-8 mph southwest wind that changes to southeast after midnight.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: Wednesday's temperatures rise to about 68 degrees under mostly cloudy skies, with an 8-11 mph southeast wind and a 30 percent chance of scattered showers. Wednesday night, the Tucson area's chance of rain increases to 50 percent while skies remain mostly cloudy and temperatures drop to 50 degrees.

Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving): Thanksgiving Day’s cloudy skies bring a 50 percent chance of scattered showers. The high temperature will be around 64 degrees. Thursday night, there's a 90 percent chance of rain, which "could be heavy at times," according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures fall as low as 46 degrees.

However, Thursday night through Friday night also ushers in the winter storm for which the National Weather Service has issued a watch, mainly affecting Summerhaven, Mount Lemmon, the Rincon Mountains, the Santa Rita Mountains, the Catalina mountains and possibly other Tucson areas higher than 7,000 feet. The Catalina and Rincon Mountains are expected to get up to 35 inches of snow, while the other named areas might receive 20-30 inches of snow. Winds of 50-60 mph are expected Thursday night through Friday morning. The National Weather Service reports that travel in these areas will be "very difficult to impossible," with downed tree branches, much lower visibility and the possibility of a Catalina Highway closure.

Friday, Nov. 29: Black Friday brings the Tucson area a high temperature of about 57 degrees with an 80 percent chance of precipitation. Friday night, there’s a 60 percent chance of rain, mostly before 11 p.m. Under mostly cloudy skies, the evening's low temperature is expected to be about 37 degrees.

Saturday, Nov. 30: Mostly cloudy skies and temperatures up to 54 degrees usher in a 20 percent chance of isolated showers. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, and the temperature falls to about 35 degrees.