A major storm could hit the Northeast around Thanksgiving. Here’s what we know.

A significant storm could hit the Northeast toward the end of the Thanksgiving travel week. Here is the latest forecast from the WBZ NEXT Weather Team.

BOSTON – Wouldn’t you know? After the driest After a 90-day streak in history, the weather pattern takes a major turn to the right, just in time for the Thanksgiving travel week of the year.

We “broke the ice” with one drought “denter” to be completed this week. Many areas received more than an inch of rain Thursday and Thursday nights, with the second round underway from Friday evening to Saturday.

As the rain tapers off later on Saturday, the wind will begin to howl. Wind gusts between 28 and 30 miles per hour are expected all day Sunday.

Now the most important forecast for the holiday week:

Thanksgiving Travel Week Forecast

Let’s take it next week, day by day.

MONDAY:

The pick of the week (obviously) for the Boston area. The wind decreases and we start the week with a mainly sunny seasonal day. High temperatures will be in the low 50s or slightly above 50s.

Nationally, there will be some light rain showers in the Ohio Valley and upper Midwest. Some snow may fall in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The big storm of the week will make landfall along the West Coast with some areas of heavy rain from Washington to California and some snow in the mountains.

TUESDAY:

Locally a rainy day in the northeast. During the day there will be periods of rain showers, mainly light to moderate.

While there is a rain/shower threat for most of the East Coast, this is not expected to be a major impact system.

The highest precipitation totals will be in northern New England (perhaps up to an inch), with a half inch or less in southern New England.

Temperatures in our region will be in the low 50s on Tuesday.

Nationally, it will be quite windy in the Upper Midwest (behind the rain zone).

The main storm will move through the Rockies, bringing some rain and snow showers on that side.

WEDNESDAY:

Locally a windy day in the wake of Tuesday’s storm. Expect partly sunny skies with highs in the 40s across southern New England. The wind can sometimes blow faster than 40 km/hour.

Nationally, the main event will now have been moved to the central part of the country. It will be in the middle of preparation as it digs south into northern Texas.

Expect some rain showers in the southern Plains and some accumulating snowfall in parts of Wyoming and Colorado.

THURSDAY:

Locally a fresh day, much less wind than Wednesday. Some sun early with thickening clouds during the day. Late in the day we could see some light precipitation, especially in the southernmost areas.

Highs in the low 40s.

Nationally, the major storm continues to strengthen and increase in size and impact.

Rain is expected across much of the South, the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic states.

Some light snow may fall on the northern edge later in the day.

Possible storm Friday after Thanksgiving

This is the day to watch in the Northeast next week and the most likely time frame for the arrival of the main storm system in our area.

It’s simply too early at the time of writing to give a detailed forecast. We are currently in the ‘middle segment’, the time period in which we mainly monitor trends in the models and work on different scenarios.

The scenarios range from another rain shower (with snow on the higher ground) …

To a significant coastal storm in southern New England (with increasing snowfall closer to home)…

To a much flatter wave and southerly storm track that would result in an edge or miss.

All we can say for now is that the models consistently show a big storm in our area and that the chances are favorable for some precipitation late next week.

As we get closer, we will of course tighten up all the details.

As always, we will keep you informed every step of the way. Stay tuned to WBZ-TV, WBZ.com and CBS News Boston for the very latest news.