Two Almanacs Two Forecasts For Southern Utah Thanksgiving

If you're making Thanksgiving travel plans, you might want to take a look at what the weather forecasters are predicting. And if you live in Southern Utah, you might also want to decide which forecast you believe.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its Thanksgiving 2026 weather outlook, and the prediction for much of the Intermountain region is encouraging. The forecast calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures and sunshine across the southern portion of the region, with scattered rain showers possible farther north.

That sounds pretty good for Southern Utah. A little sunshine, comfortable temperatures and perhaps a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving outdoors rather than spending the afternoon wondering whether the furnace is working.

brown and orange trees

But there's a geographical wrinkle.

The Old Farmer's Almanac divides the country into an Intermountain region and a Desert Southwest region. Its Intermountain region includes places such as Salt Lake City, Grand Junction and Flagstaff, while its Desert Southwest region includes Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson. Southern Utah sits in an interesting position between those two descriptions.

Almanac One, Meet Almanac Two

Then there's the other publication, Farmers' Almanac, which places Utah in its Southwest region. Its Thanksgiving outlook suggests cooler and more mixed conditions across that region. So which forecast should Southern Utah residents follow? Apparently, that depends on which almanac you ask.

And even within Southern Utah, there's another complication. Cedar City and St. George may be in the same general region, but their weather can be considerably different.

What Weather Will We Face On Thanksgiving?

Cedar City sits at an elevation of approximately 5,846 feet, while St. George is around 2,700 feet. That nearly 3,000-foot difference makes a difference, particularly this time of year. Cedar City's weather often has more in common with Northern Utah, while St. George tends to enjoy conditions more like those found in Las Vegas.

November average high temperatures illustrate the difference, with Cedar City typically around 52 degrees and St. George closer to 64 degrees.

Read More: Upcoming Winter Has Forecasters Guessing

That means someone leaving St. George in sunshine and heading north toward Cedar City could encounter a considerably different Thanksgiving travel experience. And anyone continuing farther north through the higher elevations will want to pay attention to changing road and weather conditions.

roasted chicken

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, this year, and millions of Americans will be traveling to spend the holiday with family and friends. Even an otherwise pleasant regional forecast doesn't guarantee trouble-free travel, particularly through mountain passes and higher elevations.

For now, Southern Utah travelers can hope the sunshine predictions hold. But with two almanacs offering different outlooks, and Cedar City and St. George seemingly occupying different climatic neighborhoods, perhaps the safest plan is to pack a little optimism, a little patience and an extra jacket. Or maybe the best travel plans would be to stay home.

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After all, the turkey is going to need roasting whether it's 65 degrees or 35 degrees outside.