Adverse weather across the country is expected to cause travel disruptions with rain and snow in various areas before the holiday weekend. Weekend travel plans were impacted by wintry conditions in the Northeast on Saturday, while western states braced for more rain in lower elevations and snow in the mountains. Forecasters warned of inclement weather affecting multiple interstate highways in the Northeast and Northwest, including I-95, I-90, I-84, I-80, and I-5.
Power lines were downed along Amtrak and New Jersey Transit routes on Sunday morning, leading to the suspension of train services in Philadelphia, parts of New Jersey, and New York. Amtrak announced service interruption between Philadelphia and New York due to blocked tracks, with an estimated reopening time of 12 p.m. ET.
Looking ahead, the Great Lakes and Northeast regions were expected to experience a mix of rain and snow on Monday and Tuesday, leading up to Christmas Eve. Heavy rainfall was forecast for the Mississippi Valley on Tuesday, with a potential risk of flash flooding.
Flight delays and cancellations were reported across the U.S., with Chicago O’Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport experiencing significant disruptions. The holiday travel season was projected to be the busiest on record, with over 119 million travelers expected to journey at least 50 miles from home between this past Saturday and New Year’s Day.
As the U.S. House averted a government shutdown, the Transportation Security Administration geared up to screen almost 40 million travelers between December 19 and January 2, marking a 6.2% increase from the previous year. Airlines anticipated peak travel days on December 20, 27, and 30, while Christmas Day and New Year’s Day were predicted to have lighter flight traffic.
The airline industry anticipates that U.S. carriers will transport approximately 54 million passengers from December 18 to January 6. This figure represents a 6% rise in holiday air travel numbers compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, in Asheville, North Carolina, the festive tradition of constructing gingerbread houses continues to embody the community’s sense of togetherness. Additionally, the timeless tale of Handel’s “Messiah” captivates audiences with its enduring significance and emotional depth. Moreover, a specialist in drones delves into the enigmatic reports of sightings throughout the Northeastern region, shedding light on these puzzling occurrences.
