A white Christmas is in the forecast for millions of Americans this year as multiple winter storms are set to snarl holiday travel plans throughout the northern US.
Meteorologists revealed that a fast-moving ‘clipper’ storm will arrive Wednesday night in the Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, and New England, bringing a mix of rain, snow, and ice on Christmas morning.
Snow totals on Thursday are expected to be light in most areas, but Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northwestern Pennsylvania all have a ‘high chance’ of experiencing a white Christmas in 2025.
Meteorologists at AccuWeather noted that North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado also have a strong chance of seeing snow Thursday as this storm sweeps across the US from northwestern Canada.
While Thursday’s storm is not expected to deliver much accumulating snow, forecasters have already warned that another system is due to move in on Christmas night, slamming the Northeast and mid-Atlantic with up to six inches of snow on Friday.
The weekend clipper is also expected to bring an ice storm stretching from the Dakotas all the way to New Jersey, further endangering holiday travelers on snow-covered streets and highways.
Ice building up in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia may cause sporadic power outages, forecasters warned.
A record 122million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles during the final two weeks of December. Nearly 110million of those holiday travelers will be driving, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Holiday travelers who are driving may be severely impacted by multiple winter storms on Thursday and Friday that could bring snow and ice to the Northeast (Stock Image)
At least 18 states are expected to see snow on Christmas Day this year, thanks to a clipper storm moving through the northern US Wednesday night
The second part of this double storm on Christmas is expected to start dropping snow on Minnesota and Michigan around 7pm ET on Thursday, but the main event will ramp up overnight into Friday.
As the storm quickly shifts east, New York City, Long Island, parts of upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, and New England could see between three and six inches of snow by Saturday morning.
Some areas, such as southwestern New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, could get up to a foot of snow or more by the weekend.
AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: ‘Accumulating snow is coming to New York City with the storm from late Friday to early Saturday in New York City.’
‘Given the current estimated track of the storm, enough snow to shovel and plow seems highly likely.’
While parts of the I-95 corridor between New York and Boston will likely see a snowy Christmas weekend, southern spots like Philadelphia are more likely to get sleet or a rain-snow mix.
The AccuWeather team warned that travel disruptions due to icy roads are also expected to hit the Great Lakes region on Friday morning, following by more dangerous driving conditions in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland Friday night.
Major cities such as Baltimore and Washington, DC should expect a wintry mix of snow and ice over the holiday weekend.
Americans in the Northeast may see up to six inches of snow over the holiday weekend as a second clipper storm moves in Thursday night (Stock Image)
Friday’s winter storm is expected to bring snow to the Northeast and New England, while the Midwest and mid-Atlantic receive a mix of rain and ice
The string of winter storms this week may also have a major impact on air travel throughout the region, as millions of Americans will be flying home from their holiday celebrations.
On Tuesday, over 7,000 flights entering or exiting the US were delayed, including hundreds at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, Chicago O’Hare International, Boston Logan International, and Philadelphia International Airport.
A clipper on Tuesday night brought a first wave of snow to New England and upstate New York, while major cities to the south saw a brief mix of sleet and rain on Christmas Eve Eve.
Meanwhile, more flights have been disrupted by the ongoing atmospheric river slamming California with several inches of rain and dangerous flooding along the entire coast.
That moisture pouring in from the Pacific has also delivered up to 10 feet of snow in California’s mountainous regions to the east.
For travelers heading to the airport this week, AAA recommended flyers regularly check their flight status before leaving home and also sign up for airline alerts.
Travelers are also urged to arrive at the airport early, allowing at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours if you’re leaving the US.
Due to the massive crowds expected at airports throughout the US, passengers should also pack smart and keep any vital medications, chargers, and a change of clothes in their carry-on bags.
With delays and potential cancellations expected throughout the week, flyers should also go over their chosen airline’s policies on rebooking flights and refunds for any cancelled trips.
