“Holiday Havoc: 18 States Bracing for a Christmas Storm Travel Challenge”

What’s New

Adverse travel conditions were anticipated in at least 18 states until Tuesday, as millions of Americans prepared for or have already initiated Christmas travel.

Newsweek has charted the states experiencing perilous conditions, based on information from AccuWeather.

Why It Matters

This year, a significant number of Americans are projected to travel during the holiday season.

With Christmas approaching, many may already be en route to their destinations, making the weather outlook for the upcoming days particularly crucial for travel arrangements.

As per a report by AAA, a historic total of over 119 million Americans are anticipated to travel at least 50 miles during the latter part of December.

What To Know

According to AccuWeather, a mix of rain, sleet, and snow was predicted for much of the Northeast until Tuesday.

States experiencing hazardous conditions included Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Some winter weather forecasts have cautioned about “trouble spots” in certain areas of the U.S., advising travelers on major highways to prepare for potentially troublesome conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has also issued weather alerts specifically addressing challenging holiday travel for Alaska and Nevada. Earlier on Monday, at least 16 states were under winter weather advisories, with isolated regions predicting up to 18 inches of snowfall.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather’s Saturday report: “While the incoming storm may create difficulties for some travelers across the region, it will also enhance the likelihood for snow enthusiasts to enjoy a White Christmas.”

Konrad Supinski, meteorologist at WJFW Newswatch 12, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “A wintry mix is likely today, causing slick road conditions throughout [Wisconsin].

“Roadways are already covered in snow… so please exercise caution and reduce speed.

“Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the day, with overnight lows in the mid-teen range.”

What Happens Next

“The storm will shift offshore from the coastal regions of New England throughout Christmas Eve’s daytime. Any lingering snow flurries in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and northern New England will gradually subside as afternoon and evening celebrations commence,” according to AccuWeather’s report.

Newsweek has also identified which states are most likely to experience a white Christmas.

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