Post-Christmas Travel May Face Turbulence as Stormy Weather Approaches

NEW YORK – As millions commence their journey back home from the Christmas festivities, they will encounter damp conditions to finish the week with rain and thunderstorms anticipated across a significant portion of the nation.

At the same time, snowfall levels are falling in the West as additional storms batter the coastline and pour heavy rain that may trigger flooding in certain areas.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Rain and storms to drench the South

The storm is set to deliver the initial wave of rain and thunderstorms to the South on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before quickly diminishing by Thursday. However, closely following it, a new storm will emerge from the Rockies and enter the southern Plains, bringing another wave of rain and thunderstorms, as per the FOX Forecast Center.

This will commence across Texas and Oklahoma where thunderstorms are likely to develop during Thursday, potentially complicating travel, particularly at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 

CHRISTMAS TRAVEL TRACKER: LIVE MAPS, AIRPORT STATUS, FLIGHT DELAYS, FORECAST AND MORE

These storms have the potential to become severe, particularly in the afternoon, with damaging winds and a few tornadoes posing the main risks. This is not expected to replicate the events of Dec 26, 2015, when 12 tornadoes, including an EF-4, tore through north Texas. 

Thursday night will witness storms returning to the Ark-LA-Tex region, marking their third consecutive day of wet conditions. Flash flooding will be a possibility as intense rain, up to an inch per hour, is likely to fall in the same locations that experienced rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The coverage of rain is expected to significantly expand on Friday and Saturday, coinciding with the busiest travel days of the post-holiday season, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Rain is projected to fall from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. As per the FOX Forecast Center, specifics regarding this segment of the forecast will become clearer as the week progresses.

Snow and wintry mix expected on Christmas Eve in Northeast

Those wishing for a snowy Christmas received an early delight as a winter storm spread snow across the Northeast on Christmas Eve. This storm, being a milder system compared to the recent robust clipper, delivered light to moderate snow across the area.

Significant snowfall is anticipated across northern New England, particularly in Maine, with some areas recording over 6 inches.

WINTER WEATHER THREATENS CHRISTMAS EVE TRAVEL FOR MUCH OF I-95 CORRIDOR AMID SNOW, FREEZING RAIN

The Interstate 95 corridor from Boston southward is experiencing lighter snowfall, with most areas receiving a light dusting to about an inch.

South of Philadelphia, freezing rain and sleet are the main concerns, potentially creating hazardous travel conditions. Although the storm is unlikely to significantly hinder major travel plans, motorists are advised to proceed with caution due to potentially slippery roads.

Multiple storms to impact West Coast

An array of storms will emerge from the Pacific and traverse the Northwest through Saturday. By this weekend, seven distinct systems will have affected the Northwest, bringing atmospheric rivers of varying intensities. 

Over a foot of rain is expected to fall across western Washington, Oregon, and northern California. In higher elevations, more than 7 feet of snow could accumulate in the tallest peaks of the Cascades.

SAFELITE LOOK AHEAD FORECAST: CONTINUED ROUNDS OF STORMS TO DUMP RAIN, SNOW ACROSS WEST

The initial storm arrived last Friday. The fifth storm is anticipated on Christmas Day, followed by the sixth system moving in Thursday night, and seventh system affecting the Northwest starting Saturday.

At lower altitudes, the cumulative result of the successive rain rounds will enhance flood worries throughout the week. Currently, only minor flooding in urban locations, small streams, and even some rivers is predicted. 

The same weather systems impacting California will also bring rain to Washington and Oregon, particularly west of the Cascades. The heaviest rainfall is expected from Wednesday to Friday, which is when the most influence may be observed. 

On Christmas Eve, snow levels will plummet to 4,000 feet in Northern California, with heavy snow likely to create extremely perilous travel situations across the Sierra for last-minute holiday journeys, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

From Wednesday night onwards, the incoming systems will be colder than earlier in the week, leading to considerable snow accumulation across the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Bitterroots, Sawtooth, Boise, Absaroka, Lewis, and Teton Mountains.

Snow levels will descend below 3,000 feet, allowing significant snow to gather across Cascade Passes. Commuters returning home after Christmas should remain vigilant of potentially hazardous road conditions as the snow accumulates.