Winter Storms, Flooding and Fog Disrupt Holiday Travel Ahead of Christmas

Storm systems and heavy rain are disrupting holiday travel across the United States, producing thousands of flight delays and hazardous conditions as travelers head home for Christmas.

More than 5,000 flight delays were reported Monday as flooding battered parts of the West Coast. A small plane crash near Galveston, Texas, amid dense fog killed at least five people; the U.S. Coast Guard said the cause remains under investigation and visibility in the area dropped to as little as a quarter-mile.

What to Expect in the Northeast

Winter weather alerts cover roughly 11 million people across the interior Northeast and New England. Snow began early Tuesday in New Jersey, and a wintry mix of cold rain and snow was expected around the New York City area, creating slow traffic and slick roads. Forecasters say the event is not likely to produce extreme totals across the region, but it will still cause travel delays on roads and at airports, particularly at hubs in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

The heaviest snowfall — about 4 to 8 inches — is expected in Maine and the higher elevations of New England. Areas closer to Interstate 95, including New York City, can expect a light dusting to around 2 inches. By Christmas Eve the system should move out of the Northeast, leaving mostly sunny and dry conditions on Christmas Day.

Ongoing Threats on the West Coast

California continues to face widespread rain and flood risk. Over the past 72 hours parts of the northern Sierra recorded up to 20 inches of rain. A strong atmospheric river is forecast to shift south, placing about 41 million people under flood watches across nearly the entire state and parts of southern Nevada and western Arizona.

Rainfall rates could reach up to 1.5 inches per hour, raising the likelihood of urban flash flooding, debris flows and mudslides — especially over wildfire burn scars such as those from the Palisades and Eaton fires. The heavy rain is expected in two main waves: the first from Tuesday night into Wednesday evening, followed by another round Thursday after a brief lull. Central and Southern California may also see gusty winds of 35–55 mph, and thunderstorms capable of producing damaging straight-line winds and isolated tornadoes are possible with the later round.

Other Weather Impacts

Snow is forecast to return to the Northeast after Christmas on Friday, while heavy rain is expected to impact parts of the Great Lakes. Flooding concerns will persist in the West as storms continue to track through the region.

Travel Outlook and Advice

The Transportation Security Administration expects what could be its busiest holiday period ever, with more than 44 million people projected to pass through TSA checkpoints during the holiday week and Sunday likely the single busiest travel day. American Airlines said it planned to operate roughly 6,600 flights Tuesday carrying more than 675,000 customers, and nearly 6,400 flights on Wednesday carrying about 700,000 customers.

Travelers at major airports, including Chicago O'Hare, described crowded terminals and long lines just days before Christmas. Passengers shared practical advice: book rides in advance, pack the night before, and give yourself extra time at the airport. AAA recommends driving before 10 a.m. where possible and avoiding the afternoon-to-evening window between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; drivers should also monitor weather forecasts that could complicate road travel.

Safety Tips: Check flight status and airport advisories before leaving, allow extra time for travel, carry essentials (medication, chargers, warm clothing), and avoid driving through flooded areas or across roads covered by water or debris.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.