Map shows snow will make Christmas travel difficult in 15 states

What’s new

Winter weather could hamper Christmas travel in 15 states this week as snow falls in the Northeast, the Great Lakes region, parts of the Southwest and Alaska.

Why it matters

Millions of Americans will be traveling for the holidays this year. A report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted that more than 119 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles during the year-end holidays. Nearly 8 million Americans are expected to travel by air.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, the most common cause of airline delays and cancellations is weather. Almost 63 percent of delays each year are due to bad weather. Weather can also hinder road travel, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued numerous warnings for slippery conditions starting Monday.

What you should know

Winter weather warnings have been issued in Wisconsin, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, California, New York, Nevada, Vermont, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine, Alaska and Wyoming.

Most alerts warned of minor travel disruptions, particularly during morning and evening commutes. However, the weather in at least two states is so severe that NWS meteorologists are advising vacationers to exercise caution.

Weather warnings have been issued for Alaska and Nevada, specifically indicating difficult vacation travel. Most warnings do not mention leisure travel, although roads may be slippery or snowy.

Many warnings mention snow, with several centimeters of snow expected in some parts of the country, with some of the highest snowfall amounts expected in high-altitude areas. Other warnings said strong winds could cause problems.

Most warnings expire on Tuesday, meaning travel on Monday or even early Tuesday morning would be most dangerous. However, alerts in Alaska and Nevada are expected to last through Wednesday.

Dangerous travel conditions were mentioned on several highways, including in Alaska and Nevada.

What people say

NWS meteorologist Liz Jurkowski recounted Newsweek: The Buffalo, New York area won’t see snowfall so heavy that travel will be “really” hindered. “Snow will begin in western New York around 10 p.m. and move toward eastern New York around midnight. The snow will taper off throughout the day on Christmas Eve morning. It should stay cold enough to have a white Christmas.”

NWS office in Reno, Nevada, in a winter weather advisory: “Plan for slippery road conditions. The dangerous conditions could impact leisure travel, as well as Tuesday morning and evening travel. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.”

NWS office in Fairbanks, Alaska, in a winter weather advisory: “Areas where snow blows significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees below zero, can cause frostbite on exposed skin in just 30 minutes.”

NWS office in Gray, Maine, in a winter weather advisory: “Even light amounts of snowfall can accumulate on roads and create hazardous driving conditions due to snow-covered roads. The dangerous conditions could impact Tuesday morning commutes.”

What happens next

Most warnings expire on Tuesday, meaning some last-minute holiday travelers may have a clear path to their destination. Travelers are strongly encouraged to stay abreast of weather advisories from their local NWS offices before traveling.

Update 12/23/24 2:43 PM ET: This article has been updated with a new map.