Winter Weather: ‘Trouble Spots’ Across US as Millions Travel for Christmas

What’s New

Winter weather forecasts show “trouble spots” across the United States, with several states expected to have rain or snow to contend with during Christmas week as millions gear up for holiday travel.

Newsweek has reached out to AccuWeather via email for comment on Sunday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Concerns remain for holiday travelers after Thanksgiving brought record-breaking travel this year, with millions of Americans facing hazardous weather on their journey home after the holiday. Many people in the Northeast faced treacherous conditions as heavy lake-effect snow hit Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. The storm was strong enough to prompt some officials to urge people to delay travel home as snowplows would have a difficult time keeping roads clear during heavier bouts of snow.

Millions of Americans will travel for the holiday this year. A report from AAA predicts that more than 119 million Americans have at least 50 miles to travel during the latter half of December, setting a new record.

Given that Christmas is on a Wednesday this year and is just three days away, Americans could already be making their way towards their destination, meaning the forecast for the coming days could have the biggest impact on travel.

What To Know

According to The Weather Channel, while temperatures will be mild and warming for most of the country leading up to the holidays, much of the West Coast will see several days of rain or snow leading to a slowdown in travel.

In addition, according to Fox Forecast Center, the “trouble spots” heading into the Christmas holiday week can be found as inclement weather across the West and the southern Plains is expected while some of the coldest air of the season briefly sweeps across the Northeast.

The coldest air will be felt Sunday and into Monday morning, including some of the coldest air the region has experienced in nearly two years.

On Christmas Eve, a developing weather system is poised to bring a mix of rain and snow showers to the Central and Eastern U.S. Most areas from the South through the Midwest will see rain, while light snow or a wintry mix could make an appearance in the Great Lakes and interior Northeast.

Travelers along major highways, including interstates 10, 20, 35, 44, 64, 70, 75, and 80, should prepare for potentially challenging conditions, particularly from Texas to the lower Great Lakes, according to the Weather Channel.

On Christmas Day, a warm spell is expected across the central U.S., with some areas seeing highs 20 degrees or more above seasonal averages. This translates to temperatures in the 30s and 40s across the northern tier, while parts of the southern tier could enjoy highs in the 70s or even near 80.

However, this comes as earlier this week, AccuWeather came out with a forecast anticipating which states had a chance of snow on the ground during Christmas. At that time, 18 states had a “high” chance at seeing snow.

New forecasts imply that parts of 10 states might see snowflakes fall on Christmas, contributing to the magic of the holiday by creating a winter wonderland.

What Are People Saying

AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok previously told Newsweek about how rain, mountain snow and gusty winds will affect areas in Washington, Oregon and California these next three days.

“The storm late Monday into Tuesday next week can produce gusty winds and heavy rain, leading to flooding in northern California and Oregon. Snow will be very heavy in the Cascades,” Pastelok said. “Another storm will arrive late Christmas Day in the Northwest and spread south and east into December 26. This storm is more focused on the northwest and northern Rockies.”

National Weather Service (NWS) Indianapolis office in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Periodic rain chances are expected for Indiana on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is only a very small chance of a brief period of snow in far northeast Indiana. Parts of eastern Ohio and Michigan could see a white Christmas, however.”

NWS Nashville office in a post on X: “If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, then let me be the first to crush your dreams. Alas, there will be no White Christmas in Middle Tennessee this year. We are expecting a wet Christmas, but temperatures will be too warm for anything other than rain. Signed, E. Scrooge”

What Happens Next

Forecasts will continue to be monitored and become more certain with each passing day. The National Weather Service will also issue any weather-related alerts necessary.