The impact of storms and snow on holiday travel across the US

As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, many Americans are preparing to travel by either hitting the roads or taking flights. However, it’s important to note that the weather might pose some challenges in certain areas.

According to AAA, nearly 120 million Americans are anticipated to travel during the holiday season between Dec. 21 and New Year’s Day.

With Christmas Day and the first night of Hanukkah falling on a Wednesday, the weekends before and after are expected to be busy for travelers, as stated by Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

Schieldrop added that the demand for travel continues to soar during this time of year as Americans visit their loved ones and explore new destinations.

According to the National Weather Service, New England is expected to experience cold and dry conditions for most of the day on Monday. However, in the afternoon on Tuesday, snow showers are predicted to occur across the region.

The frigid temperatures that were present on Sunday and Monday will be replaced by slightly higher temperatures, with the southern part of New England reaching the low 30s and highs in the upper 20s and low 30s.

According to AccuWeather, if you are flying out of Logan International Airport in Boston on Monday, you can expect dry conditions with some clouds. On Tuesday, there will be clouds in the morning with a 75% chance of snow.

The snow is expected to accumulate just over 1 tenth of an inch. However, by the afternoon, the skies should clear up and sunshine will follow.

According to the National Weather Service, a weak clipper system is forecasted to bring snow to southern New England from late Monday to early Tuesday. The northern Worcester Hills and the Berkshires are expected to receive the most accumulated snow, with amounts ranging between 1 and 2 inches.

According to AccuWeather, the Northeast region is expected to have a mix of wintry weather, which may be more scattered in nature. While there is a chance for major cities like Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia to have a white Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday, the higher probability of snowfall is further north.

Additionally, cities in southern New England and as far south as Washington D.C. may experience a mix of rain and snow.

According to AccuWeather’s Monday update, areas like Baltimore and Philadelphia can expect a mix of sleet and snow by Tuesday morning. Commuters in these regions should remain vigilant and exercise caution, especially on elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses, as slick conditions may arise.

According to AccuWeather, the storm moving across the northern Plains is anticipated to bring unsettled weather to the Northeast. There may also be some snow and rain in the Great Lakes region as a result. However, the western northcentral Midwestern states are expected to experience mostly dry conditions.

Forecasters predict that while the weather in northern Texas will remain cold with a chance of snow, the southern parts of the state, as well as regions extending through Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, southern Illinois and Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, will experience milder temperatures with rain showers and thunderstorms. It is important to note that these storms may adversely affect travel conditions.

According to the Boston Globe, thunderstorms in St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City could potentially lead to delays for nighttime arrivals on Christmas Eve.

AccuWeather forecasters noted that the rest of the Southeast is expected to remain dry, although there is a chance for rain and showers along the eastern coasts of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

According to AccuWeather, the weather conditions in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, as well as in Wyoming and Montana, are expected to be dry and mild.

According to the National Weather Service, a storm along California’s coast is expected to bring heavy rainfall from Sunday through Tuesday. Meteorologist Dial Hoang stated that the North Bay valleys could receive up to 3 inches of rain, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

According to the National Weather Service, Los Angeles County is expected to experience a shorter, more intense storm on Christmas Eve. This fast-moving storm, fueled by the storm in the North Bay, is projected to last for about three hours. Residents can anticipate approximately a quarter of an inch of rainfall in most areas.

According to AccuWeather, travelers in the Northwest may face challenging conditions due to anticipated snow and rain. The Globe also reports that Portland and Seattle, along with other parts of Oregon and Washington, can expect rainfall, including pockets of heavier rain. Snowfall, on the other hand, is predicted mainly in mountainous areas within the region’s interior.

Source