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
Level 3 Flood Threat Issued for the Southern Plains

Level 3 Flood Threat Issued for the Southern Plains

The weather pattern remains favorable for hea

30 Apr 2025 3:00 AM
Severe Storms Possible Overnight

Severe Storms Possible Overnight

Severe storms dominated portions of the south

30 Apr 2025 2:30 AM
Another Shot of Snow in the Western Mountains

Another Shot of Snow in the Western Mountains

A deep trough of low pressure is sliding thro

30 Apr 2025 2:00 AM
Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Fire weather concerns have been all too commo

29 Apr 2025 6:40 PM
Dangerous Storms Moving Across the Upper Midwest Overnight

Dangerous Storms Moving Across the Upper Midwest Overnight

A strong area of low pressure has emerged fro

29 Apr 2025 3:30 AM
Stretch of Historic Heat Continues

Stretch of Historic Heat Continues

We saw another day of record warmth across th

29 Apr 2025 3:10 AM
Dryline Thunderstorms Continue in West Texas

Dryline Thunderstorms Continue in West Texas

WEST TEXAS - A dryline will help to trigger s

29 Apr 2025 2:40 AM