Holiday Travel Woes: Snow and Ice Set to Disrupt Christmas Eve Journeys Along the I-95 Corridor

NEW YORK – It is becoming increasingly probable that individuals in the Upper Midwest, northern Great Lakes, and the interior Northeast will enjoy a snowy Christmas.

Snow covered the Christmas trees available at Wards Berry Farm as staff member Sabrina Rodrigues assists customers with tree selection.

(John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Just days following a strong clipper and coastal low that delivered several inches of snow from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast, another snow-generating system is advancing through similar regions.

A glance at the winter weather alerts in the Northeast through Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

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Millions along the I-95 corridor awakened Tuesday morning to the ideal festive snow on Christmas Eve.

Following the first snowfall of the season in New York City, the freezing conditions persist while inhabitants continue their daily routines on December 23, 2024.

(Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The snowfall will persist into the morning before tapering off by the afternoon as the low pressure wave departs off the coast, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Snowfall projection through Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

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Substantial snow is anticipated across northern New England, especially in Maine, with some areas receiving over 6 inches. Further south, from approximately Boston down to Philadelphia, light snow will pass through in the morning ahead of the storm’s cold front.

WHY YOU’LL NOTICE FEWER WINTER ALERTS ON WEATHER MAPS THIS YEAR

A glance at the winter weather alerts in the mid-Atlantic through Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

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Winds are forecasted to remain light while the snow falls, creating a picturesque setting for those venturing outdoors. Accumulations between a dusting and an inch are expected. Although some roads may become slick, this shouldn’t significantly affect travel unless the roads haven’t been pre-treated, as per the FOX Forecast Center.

From Delaware to Maryland and into northern Virginia, no snowfall is anticipated, though ice could become problematic on Tuesday morning.

A glance at ice impacts in the mid-Atlantic.
(FOX Weather)

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Only a thin layer of ice is expected; however, due to the very low temperatures in the days leading up to this, surfaces like roads and walkways will be frigid. Even light precipitation is likely to freeze, resulting in slick and icy conditions. Minimal ice accumulation can create hazardous travel scenarios.

The risk of ice will subside as temperatures rise above freezing throughout the day. All precipitation should clear the coast by early afternoon.

With temperatures projected to stay in the 30s on Christmas Eve and the 20s on Christmas night, the snow will have a minimal chance of melting.