Millions of Americans embarking on their journeys home after the Christmas holiday are facing significant travel disruptions due to severe weather conditions sweeping across the United States. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued widespread weather alerts Thursday morning, impacting both air and road travel as people attempt to return from their year-end holiday destinations.
Holiday Travel Snarled by Winter Storms and Fog
The post-holiday travel rush, anticipated to be one of the busiest of the year, is being severely hampered by a combination of weather hazards. The American Automobile Association (AAA) had projected that over 119 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles during the year-end holidays, with nearly 8 million opting for air travel. This massive travel volume is now contending with inclement weather, leading to widespread delays and cancellations. The peak travel period, extending through January 1st, is experiencing significant disruptions right after Christmas Day.
Traffic congestion is pictured during rush hour in New York City. Severe weather across the U.S. is causing major disruptions to post-holiday travel plans.
Flight Delays and Ground Stops Mount Across the Nation
Travelers taking to the skies are experiencing considerable setbacks. As of Thursday noon Eastern time, FlightAware data indicated that over 2,600 flights within the U.S. were delayed, and nearly 470 flights had been canceled outright. Several airports were struggling with deicing operations, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Airspace System Status website, further contributing to the flight chaos.
Road travel is equally challenging, with dense fog, intense winter storms, and the risk of flash floods creating hazardous conditions nationwide.
In the Pacific Northwest, an atmospheric river event is unleashing heavy snow and rainfall across California, Oregon, and Washington states. This storm system, which began Wednesday night and continued through Thursday, is not only impacting the coastal regions but also extending its reach into inland states such as Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. These conditions are making driving treacherous and causing road closures in affected areas.
The central U.S. is grappling with dense fog, drastically reducing visibility and making driving conditions perilous. Meanwhile, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms are raising concerns about flash flooding, adding another layer of travel complexity for those in the region.
Travel experts, citing the AAA report, had suggested that the optimal travel time on the day after Christmas was before 11 a.m. With that window now closed, travelers are advised that Friday, December 27th, before 2 p.m. is predicted to be the next best period to travel. The most congested travel times are expected to be between noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday and from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Weather Experts Warn of Continued Disruptions
Meteorologists are emphasizing the severity and continued nature of these weather events. Rich Otto, a meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center, informed Newsweek that Northern California could receive up to 12 inches of rain by the weekend’s end due to the ongoing storms.
Brian Hurley, also from the NWS Weather Prediction Center, noted some future relief, mentioning that California, Oregon, and Washington are expected to have a week-long break from atmospheric rivers starting Monday, December 30th. However, until then, travelers in these regions should anticipate ongoing disruptions.
Local NWS offices are also issuing urgent safety warnings. The NWS Fort Worth, Texas, in a flash flood warning, urged: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.” Similarly, NWS Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a dense fog advisory, cautioned: “Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”
Looking Ahead: Gradual Improvement Expected
While dense fog is expected to dissipate in many areas by the afternoon, some advisories may remain in effect throughout the day. The stormy conditions in the Pacific Northwest are anticipated to ease by the end of the weekend. However, with busy travel conditions projected to continue through January 1st, travelers are advised to stay informed about weather updates and potential travel delays and to exercise caution while journeying home. Checking real-time weather conditions and flight statuses is highly recommended before and during travel.
