Middle of the US to See Mostly Mild Weather with Storms on the Coast Heading Into Christmas

Posted: December 22, 2021 12:24 pm

Are you hitting the road or the friendly skies in advance of the Christmas holiday? Here is your early holiday travel forecast.

Southeast to Get Off to a Rocky Start to the Busy Travel Week

As the holiday travel week gears up, the worst of the weather will be relegated to the Southeast and the Northwest with the central portion of the US remaining relatively quiet. A storm system positioned over the Gulf Coast is delivering rain and the threat of severe weather to start the week throughout the Southeast.

If the severe weather is strong enough, some airports in the region may experience delays due to lightning in the area. In addition, road travel may be hampered in the region at the hands of heavy rainfall that triggers localized urban flooding. This weather maker is forecast to wind down by Wednesday.

Same Story Out in the Pacific Northwest

Over in the Pacific Northwest, it will be more of the same with rain pounding the region to start the week. The precipitation will fall as rain on the western slopes of the Cascades, however, the higher terrains will see the potential of ice and snow.

Travelers heading out on Interstates 82, 84, and 90 should be prepared for heavy snow accumulation over the Cascade Mountains passes. However, the western slope of these mountains will enjoy milder temperatures through the middle of the week. Rain will be the primary weather maker along the Interstate 5 corridor between Seattle and Portland until late in the week when the temperature drops and brings the potential of snow to this region.

Down the West Coast

By the middle of the week, the rain will stretch down into California. Meanwhile, the Sierra Nevada will see significant snowfall. Travel will likely be impacted all the way into the Great Basin and the Four Corners region as the precipitation continues to expand.

The San Francisco area and the Sacramento Valley are in for a soggy couple of days beginning on Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday. This moisture may trigger urban flooding and lead to travel delays for much of the region.

Along with the rain, winds are forecast to pick up by the middle of the week, This could cause airport delays in major hubs such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Delays in these busy airports could have a ripple effect throughout the entire US.

The good news is that the ski resorts in this part of the country will certainly welcome the new snow accumulation ahead of the busy holiday week.

Forecast Still Uncertain for the East Coast

Those along the East Coast will see a bit of uncertainty in the days leading up to Christmas. The storm that is currently pounding the Southeast will likely turn to the north by Wednesday, bringing the potential of rain and cooler temperatures to the mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast by Thursday.

While the track of the storm may change in the coming days, the current models show it staying just off of the coast. This means that the majority of the East Coast will be spared any significant impacts. However, there is still a chance that the storm may edge closer to the coast, delivering breezy conditions, bouts of precipitation, and rough seas. This is most likely to happen if the jet stream drops farther to the south and brings the storm and its effects closer to the coastal areas.

If this movement toward the coast happens, snow could fall along the Interstate 95 corridor, causing major traffic headaches for this heavily populated region. If you have travel plans over the next few days, it is a good idea to stay abreast of the unfolding weather conditions.

All is Quiet in the Central US

Although both sides of the coast have a high chance of seeing inclement weather this week, the middle of the country will be relatively quiet. The storm track that is usually positioned in the central US will shift northward this week, taking the threat of snow and other types of moisture well into Canada.

The exception to this will be a quickly moving Alberta Clipper that is expected to drop into the northern Plains on Tuesday, delivering snow and icy conditions for parts of eastern Montana stretching into northern Minnesota. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan will also be subject to this wintry weather.

By the end of the week, an area of low pressure is forecast to set up over the Dakotas. This low will move into the northern Great Lakes by Thursday and Friday, raising the risk of a quick burst of light snow. Roads may become slippery in the Minneapolis area to start Christmas Eve.

And yet another storm may develop in the same general region on Christmas Day, bringing snowfall accumulation to the northern Plains.

The rest of the Midwest is staring at a mild weather week with temperatures trending above normal for this time of the year. For example, Denver will enjoy temperatures in the 50s and possibly near 60 degrees, a departure of about 20 degrees from normal.

Recent Posts