Christmas travel could take hit from West Coast atmospheric river storms, NWS says
Atmospheric river storms on the West Coast have the potential to create widespread disruptions to holiday travel during the Christmas week, the National Weather Service said.
The National Weather Service predicted a high potential for heavy rainfall for much of the California coastline on Christmas Day, which could cause flooding, landslides and poor driving conditions in the mountains in the days surrounding the holiday.
“We will start to cool down and this will be the trend heading into the holiday. Next week, there’s a possibility we’ll be tracking the chance of rain. It could start as early as Tuesday,” NBC San Diego Meteorologist Angelica Campos said.
According to NWS models updated Wednesday, San Diego County has a 40-60% chance of heavy precipitation on Christmas Day and the day after. Areas to the north have a higher chance for heavier precipitation and flooding.
“Most of the storms are staying to the north… Right as we get into Sunday, some of those storms will start making their way farther south,” NBC 7 Meteorologist Angelica Campos said.
The timing and severity of the storms could change as they approach the western U.S.
More than 1.4 million people are expected to arrive and depart through the San Diego International Airport over the upcoming holiday travel season, which is from Dec. 19-Jan 18, airport officials said. The busiest travel days are anticipated to be Dec. 23 and 28, and Jan. 4.
On the roads, AAA of Southern California projects a record-breaking amount of travelers. More than 8.9 million people are anticipated to drive at least 50 miles from home, a 2.7% increase over 2024, AAA said.
The rain is sure to complicate road travel. The California Highway Patrol recommends drivers in the rain should keep their headlights on, avoid driving through flooded areas and slow down.
The agency says the number of people who call the CHP doubles when it rains because drivers are going too fast. CHP Officer Salvador Castro provided these words of wisdom during a previous storm:
“We tell people that when it’s raining, 65 is not the ideal speed for driving in the rain. Sixty-five [mph] is for a perfect San Diego day, which is 95% of the time.”
It looks like San Diego may be closing the year in the other 5%.
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