AAA says more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period that starts Saturday, Dec. 20, and continues through Jan. 1, and many of those people will be counting on flights to run on time as they rush to visit family.
This year’s travel forecast is a 2.2% increase over 2024, which would surpass last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers if it holds. The busy Christmas travel season, though, could be snarled by winter weather in Michigan, leading to flight delays just when travelers are rushing to make it to the airport.
“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations” Vice President of AAA Travel Stacey Barber said in a Dec. 10 release. “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
Although snow is expected regularly through the end of the year, early forecasts don’t show such significant disruptions to the holidays as experienced on Thanksgiving. Here’s what to expect, according to early forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center.
- Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 22-23: High pressure dominates, keeping skies mostly clear and temperatures near or slightly above normal. Northern areas remain colder, while southern Michigan sees highs in the upper 30s to mid-40s. Lake-effect snow is minimal.
- Wednesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): A weak shortwave may spark scattered snow showers across the Upper Peninsula and near Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. With the MJO no longer amplifying the pattern and the polar vortex strong, widespread lake-effect snow is unlikely in the Lower Peninsula.
- Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Conditions should be calm and dry for most of the state, with clouds increasing slightly in the north as a passing system brushes the Upper Peninsula. Temperatures remain near seasonal averages, with highs in the 30s in northern areas and 40s in the south. Most of Michigan will likely enjoy a snow-free Christmas.
- Friday-Saturday, Dec. 26-27: Another shortwave nudges cold air into the north, with the potential for light flurries or minor accumulations in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Nothing approaching the heavy snow of Thanksgiving is expected.
- Sunday, Dec. 28: High pressure returns, bringing calmer conditions and clearing skies. Temperatures rise slightly above normal in the south, while the north remains near seasonal averages. Lake-effect snow remains largely absent.
How many people are expected to fly in December?
How to check your flight status, delays at Detroit Metro Airport
How can I check flight status, delays at Gerald R. Ford International Airport?
How can I check flight status, delays at Capital Regional International Airport?
How can I check flight status, delays at Cherry Capital Airport?
How can I check flight status, delays at MBS International Airport?
How can I check flight status, delays at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport?
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Can I see which airports are experiencing delays?
Michigan airports on time arrival performance
- Detroit: 79.58%
- Grand Rapids: 75.44%
- Lansing: 71.99%
- Traverse City: 73.17%
- Saginaw: 75%
- Kalamazoo/Battle Creek: 77.32%
How many passengers do Michigan airports serve?
- Detroit: 1.37 million
- Grand Rapids: 182,000
- Traverse City: 26,600
- Flint: 31,000
- Lansing: 10,100
Does the airline have to compensate me for a delayed flight?
USA Today contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: AAA predicts record holiday travel. How to see if flights are delayed
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison and Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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