“Holiday Travel Alerts: Navigating Winter’s ‘Trouble Zones’ This Christmas”

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Winter climate predictions indicate “problematic zones” throughout the United States, with numerous states anticipated to endure rain or snow during the Christmas week as millions prepare for holiday journeys.

Newsweek has contacted AccuWeather by email for remarks on Sunday afternoon.

Importance

Worries persist for festive travelers following a Thanksgiving period that saw unprecedented travel this year, with countless Americans confronting unsafe weather conditions on their return trip post-holiday. Many individuals in the Northeast dealt with perilous circumstances as significant lake-effect snow impacted Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The storm was severe enough to lead some authorities to recommend that individuals postpone their return as snowplows would struggle to keep the roads clear during heavier snowfall.

Countless Americans are set to travel for the holiday season this year. A AAA report forecasts that over 119 million Americans will have to travel at least 50 miles in the latter half of December, establishing a new record.

With Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year and just three days away, Americans could already be heading to their destinations, implying that the weather forecast for the upcoming days could significantly influence travel plans.

Essential Information

Per The Weather Channel, while temperatures are expected to be mild and rise for most areas of the country leading up to the holidays, much of the West Coast is predicted to encounter multiple days of rain or snow, which may disrupt travel.

Furthermore, according to Fox Forecast Center, the “problematic zones” as we approach the Christmas holiday week will manifest as severe weather across the West and the southern Plains, along with some of the coldest air of the season temporarily sweeping through the Northeast.

The coldest temperatures will be experienced from Sunday into Monday morning, bringing some of the lowest temperatures the region has faced in nearly two years.

On Christmas Eve, a forming weather system is likely to deliver a blend of rain and snow showers to the Central and Eastern U.S. Predominantly, regions from the South extending through the Midwest will experience rain, while light snow or a wintry mixture could happen in the Great Lakes and inner Northeast.

Travelers on major highways, including interstates 10, 20, 35, 44, 64, 70, 75, and 80, are advised to get ready for potentially difficult conditions, particularly from Texas to the lower Great Lakes, as per the Weather Channel.

On Christmas Day, a warm trend is anticipated across the central U.S., with certain areas reaching highs of 20 degrees or more above seasonal averages. This translates to temperatures in the 30s and 40s across the northern regions, while portions of the southern tier may relish highs in the 70s or even approach 80 degrees.

Nonetheless, this follows earlier this week when AccuWeather released a forecast indicating which states had a chance of snow accumulating on Christmas. At that time, 18 states were deemed to have a “high” likelihood of observing snow.

Recent forecasts suggest that parts of 10 states may see snowflakes on Christmas, adding to the enchantment of the season by creating a winter wonderland.

Public Sentiment

AccuWeather’s chief long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok previously informed Newsweek regarding how rain, snowfall in mountainous areas, and brisk winds will impact regions in Washington, Oregon, and California during the next three days.

“The storm occurring late Monday into Tuesday next week can generate strong winds and intense rain, leading to flooding in northern California and Oregon. Snowfall will be quite significant in the Cascades,” Pastelok mentioned. “Another storm will arrive late Christmas Day in the Northwest and extend southward and eastward into December 26. This storm will be more concentrated on the northwest and northern Rockies.”

National Weather Service (NWS) Indianapolis office stated in a post on X, previously Twitter: “Intermittent rain is expected for Indiana on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is only a minimal chance for a brief snowfall in far northeast Indiana. Portions of eastern Ohio and Michigan may enjoy a white Christmas, though.”

NWS Nashville office shared on X: “If you’re wishing for a White Christmas, then allow me to dash your hopes. Unfortunately, there will not be a White Christmas in Middle Tennessee this year. We anticipate a rainy Christmas, but temperatures will remain too warm for anything other than rain. Signed, E. Scrooge”

Future Outlook

Weather predictions will be continually observed and will become increasingly accurate with each passing day. The National Weather Service will also release any necessary weather-related warnings.