As millions of Americans prepare to travel home for the holidays this weekend, forecasters warn that heavy snow and strong winds could cause significant delays. At least 17 states received a blanket of snow in the past 24 hours, with some areas in Montana getting 18 inches of snowfall. In the Northeast, they can expect cold air and gusty winds through Friday as a storm exits the area this evening. Powerful winds will continue to tear through the northern Rockies and High Plains, including Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Iowa, with localized peaks of up to 90 mph. While the Great Lakes should brace for lake-effect snow, which could disrupt roads and flights, particularly near cities like Buffalo and Cleveland. Conditions are expected to improve slightly by Sunday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed nine states under winter weather advisories as they expect even more snow, with up to five inches forecast. A winter weather advisory is issued for when “freezing rain, or when two to four inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience.” This is bad news for the record-breaking 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles during the latter half of December, according to figures from the American Automobile Association (AAA). While road travel may see slight reductions, an increase in air travel is expected to offset the difference.
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02:29 PM EST
White Christmas map shows states that could see snow over the holidays
A map showing where snowfall is expected on Christmas Day. Ten states could see fresh snowfall.
Newsweek
With Christmas now less than a week away, meteorologists have a good idea at which states might see fresh snowfall on the holiday for a white Christmas.
Earlier this week, AccuWeather came out with a forecast anticipating which states had a chance of snow on the ground during Christmas. At that time, 18 states had a “high” chance at seeing snow, though there’s something extra magical when the flakes actually fall on Christmas day.
New forecasts imply that parts of 10 states might see snowflakes fall on Christmas, contributing to the magic of the holiday by creating a winter wonderland.
Read in full from Anna Skinner on Newsweek.
01:22 PM EST
Arctic blast will plunge eastern U.S. into deep freeze this weekend
The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted that an Arctic blast will plunge much of the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze this weekend.
“Coinciding with the winter solstice early tomorrow morning, a very cold Arctic airmass will spill across the Eastern U.S. this weekend,” the NWS wrote on X on Friday.
“Wind chills below zero are forecast across much of the Great Lakes and Northeast, with teens and 20s dipping into the Southeast. Bundle up!”
Coinciding with the winter solstice early tomorrow morning, a very cold Arctic airmass will spill across the Eastern U.S. this weekend. Wind chills below zero are forecast across much of the Great Lakes and Northeast, with teens and 20s dipping into the Southeast. Bundle up! 🥶🧥 pic.twitter.com/qYXUwg0gjF
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 20, 2024
12:57 PM EST
‘Strongest’ of back-to-back atmospheric rivers to hit California
A car drives through flooded streets in northern California following an atmospheric river in 2023. Another atmospheric river is expected to hit the San Francisco Bay Area early next week.
JasonDoiy/Getty
National Weather Service meteorologists in California are warning that the “strongest and wettest” of recent, back-to-back atmospheric rivers will hit the Golden State early next week.
The Pacific Northwest is known for its atmospheric rivers, particularly during the winter months. The storms bring heavy rain and snow, typically to Oregon, Washington and California. Though the moisture-laden storms can help alleviate drought, they also pose life-threatening risks from mudslides and floods.
Back-to-back atmospheric rivers have already hit the West Coast this month, including one that brought heavy rain and strong winds to Washington and Oregon on Tuesday.
Another few storms will barrel into the West Coast this weekend, with meteorologists expecting their impact to stretch further south into the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read in full from Anna Skinner on Newsweek.
12:44 PM EST
2024 holiday season projected to set record for travel
Passengers wait in line to claim their baggage at Nashville International Airport after their flights on Southwest Airlines were cancelled in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 27, 2022. – More than 10,000 flights cancelled over the…
Seth Herald/Getty Images
This year’s holiday season is projected to set records for travel with tens of millions of Americans expected to head for the roads and skies.
Holiday travel has ramped up since the COVID-19 pandemic which crushed the travel industry. The expected record-high travel this holiday season is a good sign for U.S. airlines’ profits.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicted in its 2024-2044 forecast that U.S. airlines will “remain profitable over the next few years as rising demand—despite higher fares—more than offsets higher costs for labor and fuel.”
The American Automobile Association (AAA) expects over 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes between Saturday and New Year’s Day. This would exceed the previous holiday season record set in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Airlines for America trade group predicts 54 million U.S. airline passengers during a 19-day period that started Thursday and goes until January 6. That would be a travel record for U.S. airlines and a 6 percent increase over 2023.
Read in full from Rachel Dobkin on Newsweek.
12:29 PM EST
Holiday traffic expected to delay journeys by 30%
Drivers sit in traffic on southbound Interstate 5 during the afternoon commute heading into downtown San Diego on November 22, 2024 in San Diego, California.
Kevin Carter/Getty Images
More than 119 million people will travel over the holiday period, with around 90% of Americans going by car, according to AAA.
With so many people hitting the road, transportation-data firm INRIX warns that motorists will be facing serious traffic.
Travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday likely to be the worst for traffic.
The cities with the worst traffic include Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
12:16 PM EST
Gulf Coast: Fog and rain risks
Dense fog is a concern along the Gulf Coast and parts of the interior south. Visibility issues could affect roadways and secondary airports.
Meanwhile, a potential storm on Christmas Day or on December 26 may bring rain to the lower Mississippi Valley and extend into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys.
12:05 PM EST
Central and Eastern US: Snow, rain and ice
From the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley, Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic states like Virginia and Maryland, a weak storm on Christmas Eve could bring rain and mixed frozen precipitation.
Travelers should be cautious of slick conditions, particularly in areas where cold air lingers.
Visible satellite this afternoon showing the most prominent features across the country…
☁️Expansive area of clouds off the West Coast associated with a cold front.
🌨️💨Snow and wind in the northern U.S. due to a low pressure system.
🌤️Quiet and cool conditions behind with high… pic.twitter.com/yi3y9QIiTS
— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 19, 2024
11:58 AM EST
West Coast: Series of Pacific storms
The Pacific Northwest and Northern California will be hit by multiple storms and atmospheric rivers starting this weekend.
Rain, mountain snow and gusty winds will affect areas in Washington, Oregon and California.
Major passes like Donner Pass in California and Snoqualmie Pass in Washington could see heavy snowfall, leading to road closures. Airline travel from hubs like San Francisco and Seattle may also face delays due to poor visibility and strong winds.
11:51 AM EST
Great Lakes and Midwest: Light snow and flurries
In the Midwest, a weak storm system will bring light snow and flurries to areas like Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, including Chicago, on Saturday.
While the snow is not expected to be heavy, it could create slick roads and minor delays for drivers.
“There will also be a weak clipper storm that spreads a narrow zone of snow from late Friday over the northern Plains to the southwestern Great Lakes region, including near Chicago on Saturday,” Pastelok said.
“But this snow is likely to dissipate or diminish to flurries farther to the east.”
🌬️❄️A progressive Clipper system is creating hazardous conditions in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest today with high winds and heavy snow. Heavy snow will continue in the Upper Midwest through tonight, then the system will weaken on Friday as it approaches the Appalachians. pic.twitter.com/HKvqCaSYLx
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 19, 2024
11:36 AM EST
Northeast: Cold, Gusty winds and snow
The Northeast will experience a blast of cold air and gusty winds as a storm exits the region Friday night.
Shoppers and travelers in the Great Lakes region should brace for lake-effect snow, which could disrupt roads and flights, particularly near cities like Buffalo and Cleveland. Conditions are expected to improve slightly by Sunday.
“During the day Friday into Saturday, lake-effect can occur for all lakes with north-northwest to south-southeast bands of snow,” AccuWeather’s lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a statement.
11:25 AM EST
Northern Plains and High Plains: Winds and hazardous Roads
The northern Rockies and High Plains, including Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Iowa, have already seen powerful winds on Thursday, posing a serious risk to drivers.
Winds gusting between 60 and 80 mph, with localized peaks of up to 90 mph, battered highways like Interstate 25 and Interstate 29.
These crosswinds are strong enough to topple trucks and cause property damage, creating dangerous conditions for holiday travelers.
A further series of storms is expected to continue blowing through into the weekend.
11:15 AM EST
Will you pay more for gas while traveling this year?
A stock image of a woman filling her gas tank at the station.
spukkato/Getty Images
There’s some good news for drivers traveling home this year, as gas prices are cheaper than in 2023.
The nationwide average Thursday was $3.05 a gallon, down from $3.08 a year ago, according to AAA.
Charging an electric vehicle costs an average of 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state.
11:03 AM EST
Government shutdown could impact 40M Americans travelling for holidays
A looming government shutdown could impact travel for millions of people throughout airports across the country during the holiday period, the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned on Thursday.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted against a government funding measure backed by President-elect Donald Trump just one day before the deadline at midnight on December 20. It means the clock is now ticking to find a bipartisan solution before “nonessential” government services are halted for an indefinite amount of time.
Among those government departments that could be impacted are the TSA and the FAA, the workers of which play vital roles in ensuring international and domestic air travel runs smoothly.
Read in full from Aliss Higham on Newsweek.
10:48 AM EST
IN PICTURES: Travel misery at U.S. airports
Long lines, delays and big crowds can been seen at airports across the U.S. this week as millions fly home for the holidays.
In one picture, hundreds of travelers could be seen wading through the south security checkpoint in Denver International Airport, Thursday.
In another, taken today, long lines of travelers snake around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Travelers wade through the south security checkpoint in Denver International Airport Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski)/AP
Travelers wade through the south security checkpoint in Denver International Airport Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski/AP
Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Mike Stewart/AP
Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Mike Stewart/AP
10:38 AM EST
What will be the busiest travel days?
Wirth another record-breaking holiday travel period expected this holiday season, the best and worst travel days have been revealed.
Airlines say their busiest days will be today and Sunday this week, and December 26, 27, and 29 next week.
The best time to travel is on the holiday itself, with quiet days expected on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. By comparison, the quietest air-travel day in 2024 so far was on Thanksgiving.
10:22 AM EST
Nearly 2,000 flight delays reported today amid snowy weather
A flight information board shows multiple delays and some cancellations in flight departures from Dulles International Airport on July 19, 2024 in Dulles, Virginia.
Roberto Schmidt/GETTY
Nearly 2,000 flights in the United States have been delayed this morning, as of 10 a.m. as strong winds and snowfall are forecast throughout Friday.
A total of 108 flights have also been canceled, according to FlightAware.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport is the hardest hit with 114 cancelations or delays.
Atlanta follows in second with 52.
In total, 1,748 cancelations have been reported in the U.S. so far, with that number set to increase amid today’s winter storms.
10:11 AM EST
Potential government shutdown could spell delays for travelers
As millions head hit the skies this week for the Christmas holidays, the TSA have warned that travelers may be facing delays and longer wait times if the government shutdown goes ahead.
The threat of a shutdown has grown as the House of Representatives voted against a new, reduced funding bill endorsed by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
With just a day to go, there is potential that TSA agents and air traffic controllers could be heading into the busiest travel season without a paycheck. If some of those staff decide to stay home, it could cause chaos at the airports.
David Pekoske, the head of the TSA, posted on X that most TSA agents and air traffic controllers are classified as essential workers and are expected to work without pay in the event of a shutdown.
But he admitted an extended shutdown would likely mean delays.
“While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” he wrote.
At TSA, part of DHS, about 59,000 of the agency’s 62,000+ employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown. We expect to screen 40M passengers over the holidays and through January 2.
While our personnel are prepared to handle…
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) December 19, 2024
10:01 AM EST
Winter weather warnings in 9 States as 7 inches of snow to hit
Sarah Belczyak, 41, shovels snow in front of her home on East 8th Street on December 12, 2024 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Heavy snow, falling temperatures, and wind chills are forecast for Erie County.
Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
Winter weather advisories were in place for nine states across the country from the National Weather Service (NWS) early on Friday, with up to five inches of snow forecast in some areas.
Winter storm warnings were also in place from the NWS in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin earlier on Friday morning, at the time this article was written. The NWS says that a winter storm warning is issued “when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.”
Per the NWS, these include any combination of:
Five inches or more of snow/sleet within a 12-hour period or seven inches or more of snow/sleet within a 24-hour period
Enough ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or power lines.
A life threatening or damaging combination of snow and/or ice accumulation with wind.
Read in full from Joe Edwards on Newsweek.
09:51 AM EST
Heavy snow and freezing temperatures forecast for Notre Dame vs Indiana
Football fans are in for a cold and snowy kickoff to the first college playoff game of 2024.
The Indiana Hoosiers will be playing Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana tonight, where temperatures are forecast to fall to the 20s, with winds of up to 15 mph.
The region is expected to get snowfall through Friday, according to Accuweather, which predicts a couple of inches will blanket the field and stands.
09:40 AM EST
Map shows how much snow fell in US states
Newsweek
The National Weather Service said at least 17 states across the Northern United States experienced some level of snowfall in the last day.
Newsweek has mapped snowfall across the U.S. in the last 24 hours, according to data from the NWS.
Early Friday morning, several states received winter weather advisories from the NWS, and winter storm warnings had been issued for parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The NWS says that winter storm warnings are issued “when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.”
Read in full from Joe Edwards on Newsweek.
Source : Newsweek