Christmas winter storm map shows 18 states with worst travel conditions

What’s New

Poor travel conditions were expected in at least 18 states through Tuesday, as millions of Americans planned for or have already begun Christmas travel.

Newsweek has mapped the states facing hazardous conditions, according to AccuWeather.

Why It Matters

This year, millions of Americans are expected to travel for the holiday season.

With Christmas just around the corner, many Americans may already be on the way to their destinations, making the weather forecast for the next few days particularly significant for travel plans.

According to a report from AAA, a record of more than 119 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the second half of December.

What To Know

According to AccuWeather, there was a mixture of rain, snow and ice forecast for much of the Northeast through Tuesday.

States facing hazardous conditions included Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Some winter weather forecasts have warned of “trouble spots” in some parts of the U.S., with travelers along major highways being advised to prepare for potentially challenging conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has also released weather alerts specifically mentioning difficult holiday travel for Alaska and Nevada. It had at least 16 states under winter weather advisories earlier on Monday, with up to 18 inches of snow forecast in isolated parts of the country.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather’s Saturday report: “While the incoming storm may pose challenges to some travelers across the region, it will also increase the chances for snow-lovers to see a White Christmas.”

Konrad Supinski, meteorologist at WJFW Newswatch 12, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “A wintry mix is likely today creating slick road conditions all over [Wisconsin].

“Roads are already snow covered… so please be careful and slow down.

“Temperatures will be below freezing all day as well with overnight lows in the mid teens.”

What Happens Next

“The storm will advance offshore from coastal New England throughout the daytime hours on Christmas Eve. Any lingering snow showers in portions of Pennsylvania, New York and northern New England will gradually come to an end as afternoon and evening festivities start up,” AccuWeather’s report said.

Newsweek has also mapped which states are most likely to see a white Christmas.

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