Thanksgiving Forecast Shows Sharp “Thermal Divide” Across U.S., Splitting Nation Into Two Weather Extremes
UNITED STATES — The Thanksgiving 2025 weather forecast is shaping up to be one for the record books — not for snow or storms, but for a dramatic coast-to-coast temperature divide that’s turning the country into two completely different climates.
According to the latest GFS model update, the U.S. will wake up Thanksgiving morning to what some meteorologists are calling a “thermal divorce” between winter-like cold and tropical warmth.
The Country Splits in Two: Freezing West, Summer-Like East
At 6 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, the GFS projection shows the left half of the country — including the Midwest, Central Plains, and Great Lakes — waking up to bitter cold temperatures in the 20s and 30s, with wind chills dropping into the teens in some spots.
Meanwhile, the Southeast and Gulf Coast will feel like they’re celebrating in another season entirely. Florida, southern Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas could see temperatures near 80°F, with muggy humidity making it feel like a July barbecue instead of a November holiday.
“This cold front is tearing through the country like it overheard someone say, ‘Bet you won’t hit 30° before breakfast,’” one forecaster joked online.
Extreme Contrast Across the Map
The new GFS temperature model (see map below) shows a sharp thermal boundary stretching from Texas through the Carolinas, dividing frigid Arctic air from tropical Gulf warmth.
- Midwest and Northern Plains: Morning lows in the 20s, highs barely touching 40°F
- Central and Southern Plains: Rapid drop behind the front, with wind chills in the teens
- Southeast U.S. and Florida: Temperatures between 75–82°F, humid and sunny
- Northeast: Turning colder throughout the day as the front advances eastward
The contrast is so stark that meteorologists have dubbed the setup a “Great Thermal Divide” — where residents in Minnesota will be bundling up in parkas and gloves, while Floridians may be reaching for shorts and sunscreen.
The Great Thermal Divide of 2025
The GFS data highlights what many in the weather community call the ultimate “pick your fighter” map — with winter dominating one side and summer stubbornly clinging to the other.
- 🌨️ Midwest: “Bruh, I’m frozen.”
- 🌬️ Texas: “You sure this isn’t preseason?”
- ☀️ Florida: “I’m sautéing.”
Travelers planning to crisscross the country for Thanksgiving are urged to pack for both extremes — snow gear for the northern states, and lightweight clothes for the southern tier.
Travel & Safety Tips for the Holiday
Meteorologists are advising travelers to:
- Check local forecasts frequently if driving long distances, especially through active cold fronts.
- Prepare for sharp temperature drops if traveling west of the Mississippi River.
- Stay hydrated and cool if celebrating in the Southeast or Florida, where high humidity could make outdoor cooking uncomfortable.
Final Outlook
The Thanksgiving 2025 forecast underscores just how divided the nation’s weather pattern can be this time of year. For many, it’ll be a brisk holiday wrapped in scarves and hot cocoa; for others, a beachside feast in flip-flops.
As one meteorologist humorously summarized:
“May your turkey be thawed, your roads be dry, and your heating bill not look like a hostage ransom.”
Stay updated on holiday weather trends and temperature shifts by visiting SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
