Christmas Travel 2024 LIVE: Winter weather expected to cause traffic chaos

Cold weather injuries: Prevention and treatment tips from the CDC

According to the CDC, most cold-related injuries occur due to accidents, severe weather, or poor planning. To avoid these injuries, experts recommend wearing several layers of warm clothing, including a tightly woven, wind-resistant jacket, and accessories like mittens, hats, and scarves. Proper footwear, waterproof shoes, and personal flotation devices are also essential for outdoor activities.

In cold conditions, it’s crucial to stay dry, as wet clothing can rapidly increase heat loss. If you’re sweating, remove extra layers to avoid chilling. Shivering is an early sign of heat loss and should not be ignored—find shelter and warm up immediately, the CDC recommends.

Cold injuries like hypothermia and frostbite can occur when the body loses heat too quickly. Hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F, can lead to confusion, fatigue, and even unconsciousness. If you suspect hypothermia, seek medical attention immediately and warm the body using dry, warm compresses. Frostbite, which affects the skin, can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in exposed areas. If frostbite occurs, move indoors, remove wet clothing, and soak the affected body part in warm water.

Air travel delays possible

Airports are also preparing for disruptions. While major storms aren’t expected to cause widespread flight cancellations, the weather could lead to delays at airports in regions experiencing heavy snow and rain. Travelers in cities like New York, Boston, and Minneapolis should monitor their flights for potential delays, especially as the storm systems move eastward.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as weather-related delays may arise on December 22 and 23. Airlines have been working to adjust schedules in advance, but travelers should anticipate longer wait times, especially during peak travel hours.

Fog advisory in 11 states as millions of drivers warned about visibility

The National Weather Service has put out a dense fog advisory for 11 states in the south of the country, warning millions of drivers about the poor visibility.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the NWS implemented the advisory because of “visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog,” which it warned “could make driving conditions hazardous.”

The advice given to drivers is to “slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

The 11 states that have the advisory in place includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Dense fog forms when the air near the ground cools down to its dew point, the temperature when water vapor condenses into liquid water droplets suspended in the air.

Read the full story by Jasmine Laws on Newsweek.

Winter weather impacting major travel routes

As millions of Americans prepare for Christmas travel, winter weather is expected to disrupt plans across the country, leading to potential delays on the roads and at airports. Meteorologists are forecasting rounds of snow, rain, and icy conditions that could slow traffic from coast to coast, particularly in the days leading up to and following the holiday.

By midweek, a series of winter storms will spread across the Northeast, Midwest, and parts of the South, bringing snow, rain, and freezing conditions. Drivers traveling along major interstates such as I-90, I-80, and I-95 may experience hazardous driving conditions, especially in areas with heavy snowfall. The storm systems are not expected to be extreme, but they could still make driving difficult, leading to slower-than-usual traffic and potential accidents.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 107 million Americans are expected to travel by car this holiday season, an increase from last year. With such a large volume of travelers on the road, the risk of delays is high. Snow and rain will particularly affect routes across the Great Lakes and Midwest, and cities like Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit may see significant disruptions due to both weather and traffic congestion.