Christmas morning travel: Map shows states with worst driving conditions

What's New

National Weather Service (NWS) alerts on Wednesday morning show the states with the most dangerous travel conditions as people set out to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Why It Matters

Millions of Americans will travel for the holidays this year. A report from the American Automobile Association 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.

Many people might already be at their destinations, as getaway travel began over the weekend. However, those who are setting out Christmas morning for celebrations closer to home could have treacherous roads to contend with, depending on where they live.

What to Know

According to NWS forecasts, at least 11 states had difficult driving conditions on Wednesday morning.

One of the most widespread impacts was dense fog, which is currently impacting the central U.S. from North Dakota south through Texas. In most states with a dense fog advisory in place, the warnings will remain in place until late morning or noon local time.

Meteorologists warned that dense fog is a travel hazard, with visibility less than a quarter mile in some places.

In the Northwest, multiple states had winter weather advisories in place or similar warnings. An atmospheric river hit the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, with more poor weather expected on Wednesday evening.

Heavy snow is expected to begin across Washington and Oregon by late morning or late afternoon, depending on the location. California impacts will begin later on Wednesday night.

Although no Wednesday morning impacts are expected, northern Montana and northern Idaho were both expected to experience winter storm conditions on Thursday morning, which might interrupt Christmas travelers who are journeying home. High winds were expected to begin in Wyoming on Thursday, also posing potential disruptions to travel for people heading back home.

In Alaska, multiple winter weather-related warnings were in place, including for snow that could cause travel disruptions.

What People Are Saying

NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Rich Otto told Newsweek: After a brief reprieve from stormy weather during the day on Wednesday, heavy snow and rain will resume in the Pacific Northwest by Wednesday night (...) up to 12 inches of rain or snow could fall in parts of California by the end of the weekend.

NWS Bismarck, North Dakota, in a dense fog advisory: "Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. The fog may deposit a thin layer of ice on surfaces, making them slippery. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you."

NWS Seattle in a winter storm warning: "Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."

NWS Fairbanks, Alaska, in a winter storm warning: "Travel could be very difficult. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes."

NWS Missoula, Montana, in a winter weather advisory: The office warned that some areas in the forecast region could experience "major impacts" from snow beginning on Thursday, in which considerable disruptions to normal activities were expected. "Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning commute, especially over higher passes."

What Happens Next

Many of the dense fog advisories will expire by Wednesday afternoon, leaving the roads clear for people hoping to return home on Christmas Day. However, in the Pacific Northwest, stormy conditions are expected to pick up by Wednesday night, potentially inhibiting travelers who are journeying home after the holidays. If someone is planning to drive in the impacted areas during the storm, they should check which weather alerts have been issued by their local NWS office.