Severe storms, snowy Northwest snarl postholiday travel across US

What’s New

National Weather Service (NWS) weather alerts were issued across the U.S. on Thursday morning as millions of Americans prepared to journey home after the Christmas holiday.

Why It Matters

A report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted that more than 119 million Americans have at least 50 miles to travel for year-end holidays. Nearly 8 million Americans are expected to travel by plane.

The year-end holiday travel period runs through January 1, and inclement weather across the U.S. was snarling travel by plane and by road the day after Christmas.

What to Know

As of Thursday at noon Eastern time, more than 2,600 flights within the U.S. had been delayed. Nearly 470 had been canceled, according to data from FlightAware. At least two airports were deicing their planes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Airspace System Status website.

As for roads, dense fog, winter storms and flash floods were snarling traffic across the U.S.

In the Pacific Northwest, an atmospheric river was bringing heavy snow and rain to California, Oregon and Washington. The storm began on Wednesday night and was still unleashing precipitation on Thursday. Impacts from the storm were also stretching into interior states, including Utah, Nevada and Idaho.

Dense fog made for difficult driving in the central U.S., and heavy rain and severe storms were causing a flash flood risk in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas.

According to the AAA report, the best time to travel on the day after Christmas was before 11 a.m. Since that time has passed, the next best time for travelers to journey home will be Friday, December 27, before 2 p.m. The worst time to travel on Thursday is between noon and 5 p.m. On Friday, the worst time to travel will be between 3 and 7 p.m.

What People Are Saying

NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Rich Otto told Newsweek: Otto said that stormy conditions could bring up to 12 inches of rain to northern California by the end of the weekend.

NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Brian Hurley told Newsweek: Hurley said that beginning on Monday, December 30, California, Oregon and Washington would experience a weeklong reprieve from atmospheric rivers.

NWS Fort Worth, Texas, in a flash flood warning issued on Thursday morning: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”

NWS Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a dense fog advisory that will remain in place until midnight: “Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

What Happens Next

Foggy conditions should clear in most states by the afternoon, though some dense fog advisories will remain in place throughout the day. Stormy weather in the Pacific Northwest should clear up by the end of the weekend. Busy travel conditions are expected through January 1.