Topline
Snow and rain storms stretching from the Pacific Northwest to New England late this week and into the weekend could hamper early travelers’ Christmas plans, forecasts warn across the nation, but those traveling closer to the holiday are likely to avoid any major hurdles if current weather predictions hold.
Traffic moving on interstate 35W during a snowstorm in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center has warned a storm system crossing the northern plains into the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region could bring between 3 and 6 inches of snow from Wednesday to Saturday morning.
The northern Rockies and high plains are in for strong, gusty winds during a snow storm that could hamper visibility and heavy snowfall is expected across portions of northern Wisconsin before moving east, according to the NWS.
When the storm reaches New England later this week, temperatures in the region are expected to fall “15 to 20 degrees below normal" into single digits for a cold snap, the Weather Prediction Center says, but the frigid weather isn’t expected to last much past the weekend.
Washington state, Idaho, Oregon and Northern California are expected to see heavy rain, heavy mountain snow and wind early next week and on Christmas Day.
The storms could bring air traffic delays from San Francisco to Seattle, according to AccuWeather, and hamper road travel across some higher terrain like California's Donner Pass and Snoqualmie Pass in Washington.
Central states like Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and eastern Texas could see a wet and rainy Christmas Eve thanks to a weak storm system, but travel isn't expected to be majorly impacted.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What To Watch For
A warm Christmas. According to the Climate Prediction Center, above-average temperatures are expected to spread across the country starting on Christmas Eve and continuing through Dec. 30. Southern Florida is the only place in the U.S. forecast to see average temperatures. Los Angeles is forecast to reach the high 60s on Dec. 25, it’ll likely be in the low-to-mid-40s in Chicago and New York City and it will surpass 70 degrees in Dallas.
Key Background
AAA is expecting a record 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home to celebrate the holidays between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. Of those, about 90%, or 107 million people, are expected to drive. Gas prices are lower this year than last, and Hertz says Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the holidays. Nationwide, road travel times could be up to 30% longer than usual and in some areas—including Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, DC—delays could be twice as long as usual, AAA warns. The worst times to travel by car the weekend before Christmas are between 1 and 6 p.m. the 23rd, 3 and 8 p.m. the 22nd, 4 and 8 p.m. the 21st and 1 and 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20.
Big Number
7.85 million. That's how many people are expected to travel by air this Christmas season, a tick up from the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year, according to AAA. Flights are 4% more expensive this holiday season than last, with average domestic ticket prices reaching $830.
