What to Know About Travel Over Thanksgiving

If you’re traveling somewhere for the Thanksgiving long weekend, brace yourself. 

This week is expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period in 15 years, with more than 360,000 flights set to travel through the U.S., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). And while the surge of flight delays and cancellations driven by the government shutdown appears to have ended, inclement weather has been sweeping through much of the country and is expected to continue into the long weekend, which could disrupt air travel. Thousands of flights have already been disrupted so far this week, with more storms and busy travel days ahead.

Travelers are also flocking to the country’s railroads and highways, where they may be faced with crowds or potential disruptions. Amtrak predicted that this year will be a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel season, and the American Automobile Association estimated that nearly 82 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes this week. 

Here’s what you should know to prepare yourself if you’re traveling this week.

How busy are airports going to be?

The Department of Transportation estimated that roughly 19.3 million are going to be flying this week, including 2.4 million people on Thanksgiving Day. More than 50,000 flights are scheduled for Wednesday, and more than 25,000 are scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will also be busy, with more than 41,000 flights scheduled for each of those days. But the agency assured the public that it’s prepared for the busy travel period.

“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a press release. “I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely.”

This holiday season comes on the heels of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Before the shutdown ended earlier this month, the staffing shortages it contributed to at airports led to disruptions in air travel across the country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced sweeping cuts to flights at 40 major airports during the shutdown due to air traffic control safety concerns, but on Nov. 16 announced that he was lifting all restrictions and that the air traffic system would resume normal operations.

While flights have continued to see disruptions in the days since, Sheldon Jacobson, an aviation security and safety expert and professor of computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, told TIME last week that the delays were “nothing unusual.”

Could the weather impact your flight or drive?

The FAA warned on Wednesday that low clouds could cause flight delays at the Boston Logan International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport, as well as airports in New York and Washington, D.C. The agency also advised that storms are forecasted in parts of the country, including near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. 

Read More: The History—and Future—of Thanksgiving Storms

According to The Weather Channel, rain—and even a thundershower—could affect parts of the eastern U.S. on Wednesday, potentially leading to delays at airports in Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.. Snowfall could also impact the upper Mississippi Valley, leading to a challenging commute and potential flight delays in the area. The Weather Channel forecasts that snow and wind could reach parts of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Minnesota, leading to possible road closures in the area.

On Thanksgiving Day, snowfall is forecasted to reach the Great Lakes snowbelts, affecting parts of major interstates, including Interstate 90 from Cleveland to near Buffalo, Interstate 81 north of Syracuse, and Interstates 94 and 196 in western Michigan, according to The Weather Channel. Flights, particularly coming in and out of Seattle and Cleveland, could be affected by the weather that day.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

Get to the airport early, since it’s likely going to be busy this week. And continue checking the status of your flight to stay up-to-date on any disruptions.

If your flight is canceled, contact your airline’s customer service line, visit their website, or go to their in-person help desk at the airport. Your airline will rebook you on another flight if your flight is canceled.

Contact us at letters@time.com.