Thanksgiving Day is here at last, and for tens of millions of folks in the eastern half of the country, brisk, cold winds will be the main weather story.

Northern US regions will face heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard-like conditions, while the West Coast sees heavy rain and gusty winds from atmospheric rivers. The East Coast stays mostly calm with some inland rain and wet snow by November 27.

A mix of dry winds, a low-pressure trough, and a healthy dose of luck shielded the U.S. East Coast from the impacts of hurricanes.