Tracking Santa with NORAD & WeatherNation

news image
Top Stories
25 Dec 2024 3:25 AM

CLICK HERE TO TRACK SANTA WITH NORAD!

We spoke to Major Jennie Derenzis of NORAD. She gives us details on Santa's trip around the world, and how Santa and the gang get you your presents in an efficient and timely manner! Watch along with WeatherNation as we track Santa's journey around the world on Christmas Eve!

Fun Facts About Santa's Mission:

Santa's sleigh is approximately 75 candy canes in length or 150 lollypops. The weight at takeoff is 75k gumdrops and Santa is estimated to be 260 lbs at takeoff - we're not sure how much he weighs by the time he lands after all those cookies! Santa's sleigh can travel faster than starlight at maximum speed and is powered by 9 reindeer!

How Did NORAD Get Their Start Tracking Santa?

For more than 60 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.

(Image: Colonel Harry Shoup, NORAD's First Santa Tracker September 29, 1917 - March 14, 2009)

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

All Weather News
More
Heavy Rain Returns to Texas This Weekend

Heavy Rain Returns to Texas This Weekend

It's been a week since the devastating floods

12 Jul 2025 3:10 AM
Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

While the Atlantic appears quiet, conditions

12 Jul 2025 3:05 AM
Elevated Tornado Risk Targets the Midwest Friday

Elevated Tornado Risk Targets the Midwest Friday

Friday was another busy day with severe weath

12 Jul 2025 3:00 AM
Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Moisture is moving back into the Central and

12 Jul 2025 2:50 AM
Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

TEXAS - Catastrophic flooding devastated port

11 Jul 2025 10:00 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

The severe weather and flood threat continues

11 Jul 2025 2:35 AM
Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

A slow-moving monsoonal thunderstorm develope

10 Jul 2025 1:55 AM