COLORADO SPRINGS — A snowstorm that's expected to hit Colorado on Monday night is forcing a lot of people to rethink their Thanksgiving travel plans.
Earlier on Monday traffic was already extremely busy along places like I-25 with people trying to beat the storm.
News 5 spoke with some drivers who shared that they were out and about trying to get their Thanksgiving supplies before the storm rolls in. For others - they're preparing for the very real possibility that they won't make it home for the holiday.
According to AAA Colorado 55 million Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving. Of that, 960,000 are Coloradans that will be taking to the skies and the roads. However, plans for those travelers could be on standby.
Keri Caravana said, "Our flight's supposed to leave tomorrow at 2 so if we can make it to DIA then we'll head home, but if not we're going to stay here till it clears. We might be going Saturday."
Caravana was hoping to make it to San Diego for the holiday. She said, "I'm going to miss my family, you know, we're probably not going to have turkey this Thanksgiving if we don't make it out."
In the meantime she's fueling up and making alternate plans.
"I'm going to hit the store tonight and hopefully all the bread and milk isn't gone, and we can just bunker in and stay warm."
For Elizabeth Anderson - she plans on staying home in Monument for Thanksgiving, but she's still preparing as well by "getting our Thanksgiving food early just in case Wednesday is really messy. Monument Hill is just really hard to get out of. We don't get plowed right away on the side streets."
Delays from the snow are exactly what people with AAA Colorado want people to be ready for.
Skyler McKinley, director of public relations & government affairs with AAA Colorado, said for Tuesday "the travel times are going to probably be up to four times longer as you've got commuters mixing with the snow, mixing with other Thanksgiving travelers."
For those who are changing their plans to take off on Wednesday he said, "If you're traveling on Wednesday you should know wow, this is going to be an exceptionally busy Wednesday before Thanksgiving even by Thanksgiving standards."
If you are driving during this storm AAA Colorado encourages everyone to slow down, be cautious, and prepare for worst-case conditions. Leave a lot earlier than usual or, if possible, leave later in the day. Make sure all your fluids are good to go and that your tires and wipers are up to snuff.
