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
California Round 1 Wraps, Another Late Weekend

California Round 1 Wraps, Another Late Weekend

CALIFORNIA - Rain and snow graced the state o

12 Feb 2026 3:30 PM
Strong Storms and Heavy Rain Headed for the South

Strong Storms and Heavy Rain Headed for the South

SOUTH - As we head toward the end of the work

12 Feb 2026 1:10 PM
Rockies Receive Some Much-Needed Help

Rockies Receive Some Much-Needed Help

ROCKIES - As our behemoth of a trough moves o

12 Feb 2026 9:00 AM
Lingering Snow in the Northeast

Lingering Snow in the Northeast

NORTHEAST - As this next clipper system cont

12 Feb 2026 8:05 AM
Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

It was another cold morning on Monday across

10 Feb 2026 2:50 AM
Record Heat Across the Central U.S.

Record Heat Across the Central U.S.

It was a hot day on Monday, February 9th in t

10 Feb 2026 2:45 AM
Big Game Looks Dry

Big Game Looks Dry

The championship of the National Football Lea

8 Feb 2026 5:50 PM