Holiday travel plans for millions of Americans are facing severe disruption as powerful winter storms batter both the East and West Coasts of the United States. The severe weather has already led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights nationwide, with forecasters warning of further chaos throughout the Christmas period.
Coastal Storms Trigger Widespread Disruption
By 8am on Monday, travellers were confronting significant airport chaos after more than 350 flights were cancelled and a further 700 delayed across the country. This comes as roughly 122 million Americans are expected to journey for Christmas and New Year's celebrations. The disruptions are being driven by two distinct weather systems: a severe rain and wind event on the West Coast and a wintry snow and ice threat in the Northeast and Midwest.
On the West Coast, a series of potent atmospheric rivers—long, narrow bands of moisture—have drenched California and the Pacific Northwest. Northern California endured nearly 10 inches of rain in just 24 hours, leading to tragic consequences. In Redding, approximately 160 miles north of Sacramento, at least one person died due to the severe conditions. The deluge caused flash flooding, prompting numerous water rescues from vehicles and homes.
San Francisco International Airport experienced halted flights, with delays and cancellations also impacting airports in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Local officials reported around 40 flooding incidents and 17 landslides in Northern California within a 24-hour period. Millions in the state remain under flood watches as more rain is predicted.
Emergency Responses and Further Threats
Emergency services have been stretched to the limit. In Humboldt County, rescue teams were deployed to help residents escape flooded homes, while Placer County issued evacuation warnings. Firefighters in Truckee used a ladder to reach stranded residents along the South Yuba River. Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to avoid flooded roads, after some drivers were forced to abandon their cars in rising waters.
The situation is set to worsen, with forecasters predicting another powerful storm system to hit on Tuesday night into Christmas Eve. California is bracing for another round of storms on Christmas Day itself, continuing into Friday. This follows an earlier atmospheric river event that drenched Washington state with nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain in one week earlier this month.
Eastern US Braces for Snow and Ice
Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, a clipper storm combined with cold air is expected to bring snow and ice to the Northeast and Midwest. Tuesday is forecast to be the worst day for weather-related disruptions in the East. Travellers in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and central and northern New England are likely to be hardest hit.
Areas across New Jersey were already hit with up to six inches of snow over the weekend, causing hazardous road conditions. The Midwest is preparing for light snow and freezing rain on Monday, leading to slick and icy roads in the Great Lakes region. Major delays are anticipated at key airports including Boston and New York on Tuesday. Forecasters predict another brush with snow for the East on Christmas Day, with the wintry mix of precipitation and strong winds potentially continuing into the weekend.
With 122 million people expected to travel during one of the busiest periods of the year, the dual-coast storms threaten to cause one of the most significant holiday travel disruptions in recent memory. Officials are advising all travellers to check their flight status and road conditions frequently and to heed all local weather warnings.
