Throngs of passengers arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday on what officials anticipate will be the busiest day of the holiday week, just days before Thanksgiving.
Traffic in and around the airport was congested as approximately 229,000 passengers were expected to pass through the facility by the end of the day, officials said. An additional 228,000 passengers are expected to return home next Sunday, the second busiest day of the holiday week.
In total, about 2.5 million passengers are expected to pass through LAX during the 10-day holiday travel period, an increase of 300,000 passengers from 2022.
LAX officials encourage travelers this week to arrive at least two hours before boarding time on domestic flights to clear security and arrive at their gates on time.
After a few days of cloudy skies and light rain, sunny skies and warmer temperatures are expected across Southern California during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s for much of the week.
The Santa Monica Mountains will see Santa Ana winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph or higher, through Tuesday, according to the weather service.
“Those who start their travel plans early could encounter some dangerous crosswinds,” said Robbie Munrow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “For those leaving or coming to Los Angeles County, we could see wind gusts of 45 to 60 miles per hour.”
The Santa Ana winds, and the warmer temperatures they bring, are expected to subside by Thanksgiving, leaving Southern California mostly sunny with near-normal temperatures around 70 degrees, perfect for turkey trots and feasting. relatives.
