Christmas travel weather may have problems in parts of the United States, especially in the east and west

Travel has started over the Christmas holidays, and the weather can cause a major headache on the roads and in the air.

Saturday

Travel on Saturday should be mostly trouble-free, weather-wise, with only a few minor concerns. If you must travel across the West, do so this weekend before dangerous conditions set in for Christmas week.

West: Light rain and mountain snow are expected mainly in the Pacific Northwest from Washington and northwestern Oregon to northern Idaho and extreme northwestern Montana. This can lead to slippery travel in high country. Otherwise, any significant rain is expected to hold off in Northern California until late Saturday night.

Great Lakes: The cold front could produce a band of rain or snow across parts of the western Great Lakes region. Otherwise, strong northwesterly winds will blow behind the front across the upper Midwest, and some lake-shaped snow may develop in the snow belts of northern Michigan later.

Possible weather-related flight delays: San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado (persistent due to Friday winds)

Sunday

West: Heavy rains will inundate Northern California, including at least parts of the Bay Area, Sacramento and the Sierra foothills, potentially leading to localized flash flooding, especially near recently burned areas. Otherwise, Cascades rain and snow are expected in both Oregon and Washington, and snow will increase in the northern Rockies as well.

Central and Eastern: Winds will be the main concern in two areas. Strong northwesterly winds are expected in the Northeast, especially near and above high elevations from the Appalachians to New England. A few snow showers and blizzards are possible in parts of upstate New York and northern New England. Southerly winds will increase in parts of the plains extending from Oklahoma to Nebraska. Bathing is possible along the Gulf Coast.

Possible weather-related flight delays: San Francisco, Houston (low clouds/fog?), Newark, Philadelphia, DC

Monday

Overall, Monday seems to be a good day to travel, weather-wise, in most parts of the country.

West: Bands of locally heavy rain could persist in Northern California, including the Bay Area, which could lead to flash flooding and landslides. Rain and snow should continue in Washington state and western Oregon. Valley rain and mountain snow are expected in the northern Rockies.

south: A few showers are possible in parts of coastal Texas, Louisiana and the lower Mississippi Valley. They should be merely an inconvenience and should not lead to significant travel delays, except in places where low clouds may cover some airports.

Midwest: Some light snow, possibly mixed with sleet or freezing rain, could break out in the Great Lakes and spread eastward in the evening. This may result in some slippery travel.

Possible flight delays due to weather: San Francisco, Seattle, Houston

Tuesday

This major day of travel before Christmas Eve may bring more weather headaches, both in the east and west.

east: There may be some light snow, sleet or sleet in parts of the Northeast. The best chance for that, right now, is in New England and the interior northeastern regions from parts of northern Pennsylvania to central and upstate New York. However, some light snow or wintry mix may arrive as far south as the New York City tri-state area, especially early in the day. Otherwise, showers and some gusty winds are likely in the mid-Atlantic, Ohio and Tennessee.

West: A stronger storm could move into California with heavy rain and strong winds, first in Northern California, then spreading to Southern California on Tuesday evening. Some rain and mountain snow from this system could also flow into parts of Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho and far northwestern Montana.

Possible flight delays due to weather: Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles (late), Nashville

christmas eve

By far, the biggest weather issues will be while traveling in the West, but there can be hidden headaches traveling in parts of the Midwest as well.

West: Areas of heavy rainfall will persist in California, including the Los Angeles and San Diego Basin and across the Bay Area, and this rain could also extend into parts of the Desert Southwest, including the Las Vegas Valley, and possibly as far east as Phoenix. Flash flooding is possible, especially near areas where wildfires have recently burned. Dangerous travel conditions are possible on Interstate 80 from San Francisco through the Sierra Nevada. Otherwise, rain and mountain snow are possible in parts of the northwest and northern Rockies again.

Central/Eastern: One thing that might cause a travel weather headache is the possibility of areas of low clouds, fog and light rain in parts of the Midwest as warmer, more humid air tries to move north. This may lead to delays in some flights on major hubs, especially in the morning.

Possible flight delays due to weather: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, Kansas City, Cincinnati

Christmas day

The West, especially California, will continue to experience difficult weather through the holiday. Meanwhile, another weather system could be a nuisance in the Midwest and Northeast.

West: Another strong Pacific storm could hit much of the West, bringing more heavy rain, strong winds and heavy snow in the Sierra. Valley rain, mountain snow and winds will extend into parts of the Northwest, Great Basin, Desert Southwest and Rocky Mountains.

Midwest, Northeast: Forecast models are having a hard time fleshing out the details, but for now, light rain is likely during the day in parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. By the evening, some of this moisture could reach some cold air over New York State and northern New England to produce some light freezing rain, sleet or snow. It will also be very windy over most of the Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.

Possible flight delays due to weather: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago (wind), New York (low clouds/wind), Philadelphia

Be sure to check back often as forecasts are likely to change. We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Jennifer Gray Weather and climate writer for Weather.com. She has covered some of the world’s biggest weather and climate stories over the past two decades.