A discouraging rain forecast is not expected to stop Californians or the rest of the United States from traveling in record numbers during the end-of-year holiday season.
An estimated 122.4 million people — more than a third of the entire national population — will travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, according to the American Automobile Association.
That would represent a 2.2% increase from last year, when a record 119.7 million travelers hit the road or took to the skies during the holidays.
“Holiday travel is a mix of family road trips, getaways with friends and tropical vacations,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.
The holiday festivities are different for everyone, but “a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it's returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations,” Barber said.
However, as always, the winter weather could chill some of those festive getaways. A Pacific storm is forecast to bring heavy rain to Southern California over the Christmas holiday, which could hamper travel and increase the risk of flooding, said Adam Roser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's San Diego office.
“The storm will move through the region from north to south starting Tuesday,” Roser said.
Roser said he is confident there will be slippery roads and possible aviation disruptions due to heavy rain.
The storm's peak in Southern California is likely to begin Tuesday and continue through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. In Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego County, light rain showers are possible on Tuesday, but the heaviest rain is expected to occur on Christmas Eve.
Forecasters say light to moderate rain is forecast for Christmas Day and the weekend.
AAA expects to see widespread increases in travel modes this holiday season. For example, 109.5 million people are expected to travel by car, a 2% increase compared to last year, according to AAA. For Californians who travel in gasoline vehicles, the average price of a gallon of gasoline this week is $4.33, an increase of 2 cents compared to last year.
Approximately 8.03 million travelers will take to the skies to reach their vacation destination, an increase of 2.3% compared to last year. AAA said this is the first time more than 8 million domestic air travelers are expected during the year-end holiday season.
However, boarding passes have burned a hole in many vacation budgets. AAA said a round-trip domestic flight is 7% more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 per ticket.
Around 4.9 million travelers will use another means of transport such as bus, train or cruise.
