Weather to be thankful for

LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) - At the end of December, many people hope for a white Christmas, but winter white the last thing most people want to see leading up to Thanksgiving.

For many of us, the most important part about Thanksgiving is family and friends, but a lot of the time the weather runs a close second.

"Traffic is really heavy this time of year anyway and to add the weather component to it it's just too annoying to drive," said Kathleen Lautier of Alabany.

Having bad weather around the holidays can make a stressful day of driving become tricky and even dangerous.

"One of the problems we experience. With heavy volumes of traffic and snowy weather is that the plows have a difficult time getting to the roads and clearing the roads which just makes it even worse on the roads," said Massachusetts State Police Trooper Douglas Grout.

Even the sun can cause problems.

Sun low in the sky during sunset or sunrise can cause “solar glare,” blinding drivers and leading to accidents.

While travel is one of the main holiday ingredients impacted by the weather, there are other activities this thanksgiving relying on a good forecast.

Outdoor events, parties and Thanksgiving traditions can be ruined if snow or rain falls around Thanksgiving.

But not this year.

"It just makes family time so much more precious and especially with the holiday traditions. Having good weather and going to football games and as a mother of a former football player it really meant a lot," said Diane Brooks from Conway.

If you are heading out driving tonight or through the weekend, Trooper Grout expects heavy traffic.

He urges you to be courteous and give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go.