Storms, Fog Cripples Christmas Eve Travel Nationwide

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--The Christmas Eve travel rush is on and this year travel experts are predicting record numbers of Americans visiting family members for the holiday.

WJZ's Derek Valcourt has more on some of the delays those travelers are encountering.

Whether by cars, planes , or trains, more than 100 million Americans are expected to be traveling this Christmas.

But the wet weather has made this a little less than the most wonderful time of year for many stuck at airports

Hundreds of flights across the country have been canceled and more than a thousand flights delayed on Christmas Eve thanks to fog and strong storms.

Jennifer Lawson says she spent 3-4 hours on a plane only to find out her flight was delayed until Friday morning.

Passengers have been warned extra security screenings at checkpoints may slow things down a little as well.

Drivers will find fewer delays on the roads, but they will have plenty of company

Officials say 91 percent of Maryland travelers are expected to drive to their destination, an increase from last year.

Analysts say low gas prices may be one of the reasons we're seeing more travel this holiday season. The average price per gallon right now is below two dollars.

Gabrielle Bonet and her family one of many traveling through Maryland this holiday.

"Christmas Day we're going back to York and then we're going to travel over to Philadelphia and then Saturday we're coming back to York and travel over to Jersey," said Bonet.

Even some of those who aren't driving anywhere are expecting their own out of town visitors.

"It's kind of a Christmas miracle.  Normally we're traveling all over the country to try to go find family members to spend time with them.  This time they come to us," said one traveler.