Richmond, Virginia – Christmas travel planning is picking up across Virginia as the state moves toward the heavily traveled Dec 19–Dec 23 holiday window, and late-week weather could influence road and air travel across the region. While temperatures are expected to trend above normal overall, timing and location will matter as moisture moves in.
Sunday remains quiet, but attention turns to midweek as an active weather pattern develops across the Mid-Atlantic. According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, periods of rain are possible late Thursday into Friday, with colder air lingering across northern and western Virginia. That setup raises the possibility of rain mixing with freezing rain or wet snow, especially overnight and during early morning hours.
For central Virginia and the Richmond metro, rain is the most likely outcome. However, even brief temperature drops could create slick conditions on bridges and elevated roadways. Major travel corridors including I-95, I-64, I-85, Route 288, and Route 295 may see slowdowns if precipitation overlaps with peak holiday departures. Travelers heading west toward the Blue Ridge or north toward Northern Virginia should be prepared for colder air and more variable conditions.
Air travel at Richmond International Airport, as well as larger hubs at Reagan National and Dulles, could see delays if weather coincides with high holiday passenger volumes. According to VDOT, travelers should allow extra time, monitor road conditions, and avoid rushing during periods of rain or mixed precipitation.
Despite the milder late-week temperature trend, nighttime cooling remains a concern in higher elevations. Travelers are encouraged to charge devices, pack emergency kits, and share travel plans.
This Christmas travel stretch across Virginia appears manageable but timing-sensitive, making early preparation and flexibility essential as holiday traffic increases.
