(NewsNation) — Tuesday is set to be the busiest travel day for the Thanksgiving holiday, and travelers will also be navigating snow, rain and freezing temperatures that could turn slow-going conditions dangerous.

The Federal Aviation Administration said more than 360,000 flights are scheduled during the Thanksgiving holiday period — which extends through Dec. 2 — with Tuesday projected to be the peak travel day at more than 52,000 flights nationwide. This week marks what the FAA says will be the busiest holiday travel period in 15 years.

AAA estimates 81.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more through next Monday, with 73 million of them by car.

Severe weather impacts holiday travel

On Monday, forecasters warned of flooding and severe thunderstorms from Texas through Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. By Monday evening, more than 1,000 flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were delayed, and over 100 were canceled, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.

The system produced a suspected tornado in Texas on Monday, damaging more than 100 homes near Houston, authorities said. Fire crews had to take shelter, but no injuries were reported.

Rain is forecasted across the Pacific Northwest, and much of the eastern United States. Major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C., could face disruptions, according to the Weather Channel.

Another winter storm in the central U.S. may form late Friday into Saturday.

Drivers in the northern Plains and upper Midwest face the most prominent trouble spot: Wind-driven snow and gusty winds, with 3 to 9 inches possible in parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota.

Across a vast stretch from the Midwest and the Gulf Coast up to the East Coast, rain and thunderstorms will make interstates slow and slick. Parts of the Pacific Northwest and interior West will get a brief break Tuesday before another system moves in later this week.

Thanksgiving road trip preparation

Travelers are encouraged to check airline apps for delays or cancellations before heading to the airport.

Knowing your travel options ahead of time can reduce stress if a storm leaves you stranded.

The Weather Channel offers a Thanksgiving weekly forecast highlighting major airports and highways that could be affected by bad weather — including snow, ice and rain — along with a free online tool in the Weather Channel app that shows whether your travel route might be impacted.

If driving, experts recommend prepping your vehicle and avoiding peak hours. According to an analysis by Google Maps:

• Traffic on Wednesday is expected to be 14% heavier than usual between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with peak traffic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• On Thanksgiving Day, the roads will be busiest between noon and 3 p.m.
• When it’s time to head home, avoid driving from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, when traffic is heaviest.

Whether driving is your top choice or a backup plan, AAA suggests checking your tires, car battery and fluids, then hitting the road with a full tank of gas as early as possible to avoid traffic. Last year, AAA said it responded to nearly 600,000 emergency roadside assistance calls during the Thanksgiving travel period to help drivers stranded by dead batteries, flat tires and empty tanks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.