If you are planning to travel during Christmas, check weather updates  

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

As the festive season approaches, millions are gearing up for Christmas travel, and meteorological expert meteorologists have compiled a comprehensive forecast to guide holiday plans.

Holiday Air Travel Trends

With AAA projecting the busiest holiday air travel season ever in 2023, it’s crucial to know the optimal and challenging times for flights. The peak days for departures are anticipated to be Thursday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Dec. 22, as travellers embark on their Christmas journeys. A record-breaking number of 7.3 million flyers during Dec. 23 and Jan. 1, set in 2019, may be surpassed this season.

Smooth Sailing for East Coast Travellers

For those journeying through key East Coast hubs like Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, and Atlanta, favorable conditions are expected on Thursday and Friday. High-pressure systems promise tranquil weather, minimizing weather-related delays or cancellations.

Travel Woes in Southwest and Plains

While the East enjoys smooth travel, the Southwest and Plains may face challenges. Developing storms threaten California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southern Plains, potentially disrupting travel plans. Southern Plains cities such as Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston may experience heavy rain, persisting into Christmas Day, with additional rainfall over the weekend.

California’s Wet Weekend

California, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, may experience damp weather from midweek onwards. Travelers, even those engaged in last-minute holiday shopping, should prepare for rain showers, necessitating umbrellas and raincoats.

Weekend Weather Outlook

Saturday travel in the interior West, spanning from eastern Washington to the Four Corners, could encounter unfavorable weather conditions. Two converging storms may bring snow and rain showers, impacting Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Sunday conditions worsen in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, improving by Christmas Day.

Northern Plains and Central U.S. Conditions

The northern Plains foresee dry weather initially, with rain and showers developing by Sunday as a storm emerges. By Christmas Eve, this storm’s influence may extend to the lower Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys. Cooler air in the Upper Midwest might bring a mix of rain and snow on Christmas Day.

As the holiday draws near, stay updated on these travel insights by checking AccuWeather.com for real-time forecasts, ensuring a seamless and safe Christmas journey. Whether over the river or through the woods, AccuWeather’s detailed analysis will keep you ahead of the weather curve during this festive season in the US.

Source: AccuWeather

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