Travel
NE Ohio travel outlook: Will snow impact your holiday travel plans in Stark County?
Millions of Americans are hitting the road for the holidays this year.
According to the American Automobile Association, 119.3 million people are projected to travel 50 miles or more from home between now and Jan 1.
“This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we’re anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and the weekend after the holiday.”
In Stark County, there is some snow in the forecast, which could pose an impact on driving conditions.
There’s a 30% chance of weekend precipitation, and then the next few days look clear before a chance of snow returns Monday night and Tuesday.
If you’re planning on driving to your holiday destination, there may be some key times to avoid, as crowded roads may slow things down.
When should I leave for the holidays in Stark County?
The Ohio Department of Transportation has released its travel forecast for the Canton/Akron area over the holiday period.
It calls for moderate traffic today but recommends avoiding driving between 7 and 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
The weekend is expected to have standard traffic congestion while Monday is expected to have moderate traffic.
It is predicting light road traffic on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Lighter than usual traffic is expected Thursday and Friday with normal traffic returning for Dec. 28 & 29.
When are the best times to travel for the holidays?
AAA’s also is predicting the best and worst travel times by car.
The agency cites 1 to 8 p.m. Friday as the the worst time to head out with the best travel times before 11 a.m. Friday.
The weekend calls the most congested driving periods in the afternoon and early evening with better conditions before noon.
The worst travel times on Monday will be 1 to 6 p.m. with minimal traffic impact expected Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Expect worse travel times Thursday afternoon and Friday between 3 and 7 p.m.
What’s the forecast?
Here’s what the forecast looks like for the Canton area:
Today: Snow showers likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 26.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 14.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.
Monday night: Snow showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Christmas Day: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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