Christmas holiday travel has kicked off, and the weather could lead to significant headaches both on the roads and in the air.
Monday
Overall, Monday looks like a fairly decent day to travel, weather-wise, across most of the country.
West:Bands of locally heavy rain could linger in Northern California, including the Bay Area, that could lead to flash flooding and landslides. Rain and Cascades snow should continue in Washington state and western Oregon. Valley rain and mountain snow are expected in the northern Rockies.
South:Just a few showers are possible in parts of coastal Texas, Louisiana and the lower Mississippi Valley. They should just be a nuisance and shouldn't lead to major travel delays, except where low clouds could blanket some airports.
Midwest:Some light snow, possibly mixed with sleet or freezing rain, could break out in the Great Lakes, spreading east in the evening. This could lead to some slippery travel.
Potential weather-related flight delays: San Francisco, Seattle, Houston
Tuesday
This key travel day before Christmas Eve could have more weather headaches, both in the East and West.
East:There may be some light snow, sleet or freezing rain in parts of the Northeast. The best chance of this, for now, is in New England and the interior Northeast from parts of northern Pennsylvania to central and upstate New York. However, some light snow or wintry mix could make it as far south as the New York City Tri-State area, especially early in the day. Otherwise, rain showers and some gusty winds are possible in the mid-Atlantic and Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.
West:A stronger storm could move into California with heavy rain and strong winds, first in Northern California, then spreading to Southern California Tuesday night. Some rain and mountain snow from this system could also stream into parts of Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho and far northwest Montana.
Potential weather-related flight delays: Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles (late), Nashville
Christmas Eve
By far the biggest travel weather headaches will be in the West, but there could be a sneaky travel headache in parts of the Midwest, too.
West:Areas of heavy rain will continue in California, including the L.A. Basin, San Diego and across the Bay Area, and that rain could also extend into parts of the Desert Southwest, including the Las Vegas Valley, possibly as far east as Phoenix. Flash flooding is possible, particularly near recently wildfire-burned areas. Dangerous travel conditions are possible on Interstate 80 from San Francisco through the Sierra Nevada. Otherwise, rain and mountain snow is possible in parts of the Northwest and northern Rockies, again.
Central/East:The only thing that might be a travel weather headache is the potential for areas of low clouds, fog and light showers in parts of the Midwest as warmer, more humid air tries to move northward. This could lead to some flight delays at major hubs, especially in the morning.
Potential weather-related flight delays: L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle, Chicago, Kansas City, Cincinnati
Christmas Day
The West, especially California, will continue to have challenging weather on the holiday. Meanwhile, another weather system could be a nuisance in the Midwest and Northeast.
West:Another potent Pacific storm could lash much of the West with more heavy rain, strong winds and heavy Sierra snow. This valley rain, mountain snow and wind will extend into parts of the Northwest, Great Basin, Desert Southwest and Rockies.
Midwest, Northeast:Forecast models are having trouble honing in on the details, but for now, during the day, some light rain is possible in parts of the Great lakes and Ohio Valley. By the evening, some of that moisture could reach some colder air over upstate New York and northern New England to produce some light freezing rain, sleet or snow. It will also be quite windy over much of the Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.
Potential weather-related flight delays: L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago (wind), New York (low clouds/wind), Philadelphia
Day After Christmas
The day after Christmas could bring inclement weather for parts of the West and Northeast as storm systems continue to impact the regions.
West:The potent Pacific storm that is expected to move onshore Christmas Day should continue to track east across the Intermountain West, bringing more rain, wind and mountain snow. Like the day before, the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and Rockies could see mountain snow, and the West Coast and lower elevations of the West could see rain.
Northeast: There continues to be a chance of showers across the Ohio Valley and southern portions of the Northeast, transitioning to a chance of snowfall across New England.
Northern Midwest/Great Lakes:It is possible that a quick-moving system could also bring a chance of snowfall to northern parts of Minnesota and the Great Lakes.
Potential weather-related flight delays: L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, Boston
Saturday
Weather in the West really seems to calm down for travelers on Saturday, however, some trouble spots could linger in the central and eastern U.S.
West:Rain and snow will begin to taper off in the West, after days of unsettled weather in the region. We still could see some lingering rain and snow for portions of the U.S. west of the Rockies, including Central and Southern California, and some possible travel issues for areas around Seattle.
Cental/East:Snow and winter weather is expected to clip the Northern Tier of the U.S. including the Great Lakes and parts of New England. Rain will extend south, impacting portions of the Ohio Valley and South. While these showers shouldn't cause major delays, they will be more of a nuisance.
Potential weather-related flight delays: L.A., Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Boston
Make sure you check back often since the forecast will likely change. We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Jennifer Grayis a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
