Thanksgiving travel rush begins as more rain comes to Southern California 

Rain or shine, Southern California residents are beginning to flood the roads and the skies ahead of Thanksgiving. 

AAA projects that the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period (which they consider to be Nov. 26 through Dec. 2) will be the busiest one ever with nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel, which exceeds pre-pandemic levels. 

“This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019,” AAA said. 

Sunday is expected to be one of the busiest days at LAX, according to airport officials, and Terminal 7 was already bustling at 6:30 a.m. 

One group of four siblings heading to Maui for Thanksgiving spoke to KTLA 5’s Erin Myers and said they arrived at the airport with extra time just in case it was very busy. 

“Traveling during the holidays is a little chaotic sometimes, so we definitely wanted to be here early and make sure that we catch our flight,” one of the siblings, Katie, said. “Our flight is at 8:50 a.m., and we woke up at 5 to be here on time.” 

Inclement weather isn't the only thing that may interrupt holiday air travel plans; a rally and march organized by LAX ground workers -- those who clean planes, handle baggage, maintain airport safety and assist wheelchair passengers -- is scheduled for Monday, and according to travel experts, that could cause delays.

Flying or driving, local travelers are advised to add extra time into their itineraries as a Pacific front brings rain to the region. According to the National Weather Service, the main impacts of the weather pattern will be wet, slippery roads and an increase in traffic incidents, and "minor flooding problems" can't be ruled out.

Up to an inch of rain could fall in L.A. and Ventura counties by Wednesday, preliminary projections indicate. That number rises as you move north; communities in San Luis Obispo County could see up to 2.5 inches of precipitation.

Most of the rain is expected to fall Monday and Tuesday, forecasters stated.