Christmas Week Forecast: Rain and Snow May Bring Some Travel Troubles

December 18,2016
A busy travel week is ahead, and as usual this time of year, snow or rain may cause headaches for those taking to the roads or skies.
The good news is no major winter storms are expected, and most areas will see milder temperatures as the week progresses compared to last week. During the Christmas weekend, there remains uncertainty with the forecast, as you would expect several days in advance.
(MORE: White Christmas Outlook)
Below we break down the forecast day-by-day and highlight a few areas where travel troubles are anticipated. Changes in the forecast are likely as we get closer to Christmas so be sure to check back to weather.com for updates.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)

Monday

Monday's Forecast

A disturbance will bring rain to parts of the Southeast and another low-pressure system will bring rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest.
Otherwise, much of the U.S. will see dry and very cold conditions to start the week.
(FORECAST: Philadelphia | Dallas | Portland, Oregon)
Air Delays Possible: Atlanta (low clouds); Seattle (rain)
Road Delays Possible: I-75 from Florida to Georgia (rain); I-95 from Florida to North Carolina (rain); I-5 in Washington and Oregon (rain)

Tuesday

Tuesday's Forecast

A few showers will linger along the Southeast coast, and an area of low pressure will bring a few snow showers to northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Rain and snow will persist in the Pacific Northwest due to an area of low pressure moving into the region.
Elsewhere, high pressure will allow dry conditions to prevail from the Southwest to the Northeast. Milder temperatures will also begin to return, especially in the West and Upper Midwest.
(FORECAST: Washington, D.C. | Chicago | Los Angeles)
Air Delays Possible: Seattle and Portland, Oregon (rain)
Road Delays Possible: I-5 from Washington to southern Oregon (rain); I-90 from Washington to Montana (snow)

Wednesday

Wednesday's Forecast

The low-pressure system in the Northwest will slide eastward, spreading light snow from the Rockies into the northern Great Lakes region. Showers will also return to areas of the South Wednesday night.
The Northeast will see dry conditions and milder temperatures, and the Southwest will remain dry, as well.
(FORECAST: Pittsburgh | Miami | Denver)
Air Delays Possible: Minneapolis (snow)
Road Delays Possible: I-94 from North Dakota to Wisconsin (snow); I-10 from Louisiana to Florida (rain Wednesday night); I-75 from Georgia to Kentucky (rain Wednesday night)

Thursday

Thursday's Forecast

A low-pressure system will move into the East with rain to the south and snow in areas of the interior Northeast and Great Lakes. Another low-pressure system will approach the Pacific Northwest coast.
An area of high pressure will bring dry conditions to the remainder of the West and through the Plains. Temperatures will remain near to slightly above average for most of the country.
(FORECAST: Boston | New Orleans | San Francisco)
Air Delays Possible: Major Northeast hubs (rain); Cleveland (snow); Atlanta (rain)
Road Delays Possible: I-95 from north Florida to Maine (rain for most, snow in Maine); I-90 from Massachusetts to Ohio (rain to snow); I-75 from northern Florida to Kentucky (rain) ; I-5 in Washington and Oregon (rain)

Friday

Friday's Forecast

The low-pressure system in the East will push offshore, but rain showers will linger in north Florida with snow showers in New England and the interior Northeast.
Meanwhile, the next system moves into the northern Plains with light snow in the Rockies and northern Plains. The Pacific Northwest coast will also see wet conditions.
Dry conditions will prevail, due to high pressure, from the South into the Midwest, central and southern Plains and into the Southwest.
(FORECAST: Syracuse | Raleigh | Salt Lake City)
Air Delays Possible: Seattle (showers)
Road Delays Possible: I-5 in Washington and Oregon (rain)

Saturday/Christmas Eve

Saturday's Forecast (Christmas Eve)

A large majority of the country should see dry weather conditions.
Snow showers may move through the Great Lakes near a low-pressure system. A few rain and snow showers are also possible in the Northwest.
The East will see dry conditions with high pressure over the region. High temperatures in the East will generally be above average, while temperatures will be below average for much of the West.
(FORECAST: Cleveland | Houston | Seattle)
Air Delays Possible: None at this time
Road Delays Possible: No major problems at this time.

Sunday/Christmas

Sunday's Forecast (Christmas)

A new storm system could develop in the nation's midsection, but details are highly uncertain. This could include snow or a wintry mix in the Midwest and rain in the South.
Check back for updates in the days ahead.
(FORECAST: New York | Atlanta | Minneapolis)
MORE: Winter Storm Decima, December 2016 (PHOTOS)