Weather Warning Announced for Christmas Week for Millions of Americans

The holidays are days away, and on Saturday, Dec. 20, meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS) and AccuWeather issued new weather warnings impacting millions of Americans on Christmas week.

Christmas is a busy time for travel, and these weather warnings will impact the 122.4 million Americans that AAA projects will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period, which runs from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1.

Holiday travel is expected to be bigger than last year, and AAA projects that 2.2% more Americans will travel during the 2024 season, surpassing last year's record of 119.7 million travelers.

"Holiday celebrations look different for everyone," Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel said in a statement, "but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations."

Christmas Week Weather Warning for Parts of the U.S.

The cold and snow is expected to decline across the U.S. in upcoming week, according to research from the NWS, and it's shaping up to be one of the warmest Christmases ever for at least 12 states. But, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, snow and other dangerous weather will still impact parts of the country.

AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said that the "strengthening of the polar vortex" will keep "the coldest air in Canada with the main track of storms near the U.S./Canada border for the week ahead," rather than in the central and eastern U.S. But, Pastelok adds that a clipper storm and cold air may dip far enough south to bring snow to the northern Midwest and Northeast into the Christmas holiday.

Mixed Weather for the South and West Coast

Those in the south won't be clear from travel issues, either. There, forecasters say to expect rain, drizzle and fog, with increased chances near the Gulf Coast.

"There is a chance a storm on Christmas Day brings some mix of snow and ice to parts of the interior Northeast," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said. "But, with cold air being extremely limited, any fresh snow would likely be limited to the northern part of New York and New England."

But, the worst weather, according to their research, will wall on the West Coast, mainly in California, through Christmas week.

"Multiple storms will bring rounds of drenching rain that will result in urban, small stream and even some river flooding throughout California from this weekend through the week of Christmas," AccuWeather warns.