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Winter season travel trends, top 10 destinations and more traveler patterns taking flight

After travel came to a halt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are once again on the move and new data shows there's no sign of demand slowing during the upcoming season.

Tripadvisor has released its Seasonal Travel Index, which surveyed an array of travelers from the U.S., U.K., Singapore, Japan and Australia to get a snapshot of winter travel plans and trends from December 2022 through February 2023.

The seasonal travel report found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans, around 59%, are planning a vacation this winter. Some 93% of U.S. travelers said they will travel the same amount or more than they did last winter, which was a higher percentage than any other country surveyed.

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MORE: Experts share best times to book, airport hacks and more holiday travel insights

Sixty-seven percent of global travelers surveyed by the travel platform indicated upcoming trips with more than half of respondents noting that they expect to spend more money on upcoming trips compared to last year.

With inflation weighing on consumer spending, Tripadvisor found that a third of respondents will "likely travel less or for shorter lengths than previously planned" and that 30% of people plan to vacation closer to home than before.

Cost and affordability were nearly twice as important to respondents as other factors, such as trip length and trip type for vacations, which Tripadvisor said was consistent with previous index findings.

"The majority of global travelers (57%) plan to travel domestically this upcoming season, however, the propensity to take international trips has increased (from 40% to 43%) since the previous Seasonal Travel Index," TripAdvisor stated in a press release. "With winter on the horizon in the northern hemisphere, the most popular global destinations feature a mix of major global cities like Paris, London and New York, along with winter sun favorites such as Cancun, Dubai and Punta Cana."

American respondents also showed a 3% higher propensity for foreign trips compared to the previous report.

When it comes to new global destinations with the largest year-over-year growth, Tripadvisor found that Asia-Pacific countries landed in the top 10 spots as a result of many reopening to international travelers or loosening restrictions over the past 12 months.

Alice Jong, research and insights senior analyst at Tripadvisor, explained that the recovery out of the pandemic has pointed to more positive signs "with traveler intent data showing strong demand for long-haul and international travel."

While the majority of U.S. travelers reported plans for one to two trips, 6% plan to travel six or more times from December through February.

Seventy-eight percent of Americans have domestic travel plans with a majority of those planning to return to a destination they have already visited, and 22% will travel internationally.

Top 10 domestic travel destinations for December through February

Florida has proven to be particularly popular this time of year with four cities landing in the top 10 destinations for American travelers:

1. New York City 2. Orlando 3. Las Vegas 4. Honolulu 5. Key West 6. Lahaina 7. Miami Beach 8. New Orleans 9. Fort Lauderdale 10. Anaheim

Top 10 international travel destinations for December through February

Four major cities in Mexico and four destinations in the Caribbean are particularly popular during this time period:

1. Cancun, Mexico 2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 3. Punta Cana, Caribbean 4. Playa del Carmen, Mexico 5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 6. Paris, France 7. Palm - Eagle Beach, Caribbean 8. Bavaro, Caribbean 9. Montego Bay, Caribbean 10. London, U.K.

The data for the index was gathered by a Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, drawn from an online pool of over 2,100 consumers across six countries in partnership with Qualtrics. Additionally, Tripadvisor gathered behavioral data sourced from its first-party traffic on the platform from October 2022 with searches made by travelers in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan and Singapore for travel between Dec. 1, 2022 through F eb. 28, 2023.

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Winter season travel trends, top 10 destinations and more traveler patterns taking flight

Check out the top 10 international and domestic destinations.

After travel came to a halt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are once again on the move and new data shows there's no sign of demand slowing during the upcoming season.

Tripadvisor has released its Seasonal Travel Index, which surveyed an array of travelers from the U.S., U.K., Singapore, Japan and Australia to get a snapshot of winter travel plans and trends from December 2022 through February 2023.

The seasonal travel report found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans, around 59%, are planning a vacation this winter. Some 93% of U.S. travelers said they will travel the same amount or more than they did last winter, which was a higher percentage than any other country surveyed.

MORE: Experts share best times to book, airport hacks and more holiday travel insights

Sixty-seven percent of global travelers surveyed by the travel platform indicated upcoming trips with more than half of respondents noting that they expect to spend more money on upcoming trips compared to last year.

With inflation weighing on consumer spending, Tripadvisor found that a third of respondents will "likely travel less or for shorter lengths than previously planned" and that 30% of people plan to vacation closer to home than before.

Cost and affordability were nearly twice as important to respondents as other factors, such as trip length and trip type for vacations, which Tripadvisor said was consistent with previous index findings.

"The majority of global travelers (57%) plan to travel domestically this upcoming season, however, the propensity to take international trips has increased (from 40% to 43%) since the previous Seasonal Travel Index," TripAdvisor stated in a press release. "With winter on the horizon in the northern hemisphere, the most popular global destinations feature a mix of major global cities like Paris, London and New York, along with winter sun favorites such as Cancun, Dubai and Punta Cana."

American respondents also showed a 3% higher propensity for foreign trips compared to the previous report.

When it comes to new global destinations with the largest year-over-year growth, Tripadvisor found that Asia-Pacific countries landed in the top 10 spots as a result of many reopening to international travelers or loosening restrictions over the past 12 months.

Alice Jong, research and insights senior analyst at Tripadvisor, explained that the recovery out of the pandemic has pointed to more positive signs "with traveler intent data showing strong demand for long-haul and international travel."

While the majority of U.S. travelers reported plans for one to two trips, 6% plan to travel six or more times from December through February.

Seventy-eight percent of Americans have domestic travel plans with a majority of those planning to return to a destination they have already visited, and 22% will travel internationally.

Top 10 domestic travel destinations for December through February

Florida has proven to be particularly popular this time of year with four cities landing in the top 10 destinations for American travelers:

1. New York City 2. Orlando 3. Las Vegas 4. Honolulu 5. Key West 6. Lahaina 7. Miami Beach 8. New Orleans 9. Fort Lauderdale 10. Anaheim

Top 10 international travel destinations for December through February

Four major cities in Mexico and four destinations in the Caribbean are particularly popular during this time period:

1. Cancun, Mexico 2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 3. Punta Cana, Caribbean 4. Playa del Carmen, Mexico 5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 6. Paris, France 7. Palm - Eagle Beach, Caribbean 8. Bavaro, Caribbean 9. Montego Bay, Caribbean 10. London, U.K.

The data for the index was gathered by a Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, drawn from an online pool of over 2,100 consumers across six countries in partnership with Qualtrics. Additionally, Tripadvisor gathered behavioral data sourced from its first-party traffic on the platform from October 2022 with searches made by travelers in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan and Singapore for travel between Dec. 1, 2022 through F eb. 28, 2023.

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10 Best Warm Places to Travel to This Winter

Escape the chill in these warm-weather destinations.

Sure, the winter months have their perks – skiing, sledding, snowman building, and of course the holidays. But the cold! Oh, the cold. It digs deep under your skin, straight to your bones, chilling everything from your toes to your chattering teeth. Fortunately, several year-round, warm-weather destinations can offer a much-needed respite from the frigid air.

From island getaways to sizzling cities, here are 10 of the best warm places to visit this winter.

Ambergris Caye, Belize 

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

With direct flights from several U.S. cities (including New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami), getting to the Central American nation of Belize is easier than you think. The country's interior is filled with lush, verdant landscapes home to monkeys and even a few rare jaguars, but the real star is the coast. To experience the white-sand beaches at their best, make your way to Ambergris Caye. Belize's largest island is known for its water sports, including diving and snorkeling around the nearby Belize Barrier Reef. For a luxe visit, book a few nights at Alaia Belize , which not only provides easy access to the beach, but also has a swimming pool suspended six stories above the main access corridor, with portholes in the bottom that offer aerial views of the property.

Mexico City 

Jorge Castro/Travel + Leisure

Though winter in CDMX won't have the tropical heat you might expect from Mexico — temperatures tend to top out in the low 70s this time of year — it still provides a balmy alternative to snowy U.S. locales. The capital is flush with cultural attractions , including first-rate museums (like the stunning Museo Frida Kahlo ), incredible shopping at both high-end stores and local markets, and some of the best restaurants in the world (we're looking at you, Pujol ). Make Las Alcobas your home base. The luxury hotel offers lavish guest rooms and a tranquil spa in which to relax after a day of urban exploration.

Key West, Florida

Key West is a true delight in the winter months, as the average high temperature never really falls below 75 degrees. It's the perfect place for fruity cocktails on the sand, sunset strolls down lively shopping streets, and slice after slice of tangy Key lime pie. Make the most of your time here by booking a stay at the historic Casa Marina Key West , which recently underwent an extensive renovation. Through the hotel, you can book local food tours, golf outings, and sailboat cruises, or you can simply sit by the pool and soak in the Florida Keys sun.

Rangiroa, French Polynesia

Though more than a hundred islands comprise French Polynesia , just a handful (think Bora Bora and Moorea) get most of the attention. If you prefer somewhere a little less crowded, try the quiet, sparsely developed atoll of Rangiroa. Located about an hour's flight from Tahiti, it has pristine beaches and a massive lagoon brimming with sea life. Book the Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa , which boasts stunning overwater bungalows and villas with private plunge pools.

Panama Highlands

Panama is another destination with splendid coastlines, but its interior shouldn't be overlooked, especially for a winter vacation. Temperatures in the country's highlands sit in the 60s and 70s year round, creating ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. Visitor-favorite activities here include bird-watching and, for more adventurous types, criss-crossing the verdant mountains via the famous hanging bridges of Boquete. The region also has a stellar coffee scene worth exploring. Book a stay at The Haven , an adults-only wellness hotel that'll help you get on a coffee tour as soon as you land.

If you're seeking an African safari this winter without the crowds of a classic destination like Kenya, try the less-traveled terrain of Namibia . This nation on Africa's southwest coast offers seclusion, otherworldly landscapes, and near-guaranteed warm weather. It's also the perfect place to see animals like lions, elephants, leopards, and rhinos in their natural environment. There are several outfitters in the area, but Natural Selection is top-notch. It has numerous camps to choose from, including the famed Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you want to mix some time under the sun with some cultural enrichment, look no further than San Juan. The capital of Puerto Rico has long stretches of white-sand beaches, plus historical attractions like the Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Visitors will also find lots of delicious spots to eat (make reservations at Cocina Abierta ). In San Juan, it's best to go boutique, so check into the O:LV Fifty Five hotel, which features a rooftop bar and pool offering the best views in town.

When the first cold snap hits, book your flight to Dubai. This desert oasis offers not just warm weather but a mind-boggling array of things to do, from swimming in the Persian Gulf to shopping at some of the world's most luxurious stores and dining at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. (Don't forget to visit the tallest building in the world while you're here, via an elevator that travels at an ear-popping 30 feet per second.) Try Atlantis, The Palm for your overnight stays — it's a veritable playground for those looking to indulge in the finer things in life.

Winter happens to be the best time to visit Bangkok . The weather is balmy year-round thanks to Thailand's tropical location, but the winter months offer slightly more comfortable temperatures, with highs rarely exceeding 90 degrees.

To get the most out of this massive city, it's best to book a lengthy visit or get a guide — there are tons of tour options on sites like Airbnb Experiences that focus on food, culture, and photography. Don't miss out on the city's canals, either, which you can tour on a long-tail boat. Make your home base the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok , a long-running honoree in Travel + Leisure 's World's Best Awards.

The Bahamas

Sometimes, you just need to get away and not think about a single thing. And that's exactly what you can do in the Bahamas, an island chain that's just a three-hour flight from New York City. There are a number of beautiful destinations to see here, and many of the archipelago's inhabited islands are home to all-inclusive resorts that are ideal for families, couples, and even solo travelers.

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Winter storm blasts much of U.S. with snow, freezing rain, dangerous temps

This live blog is now closed. For the latest updates please click here .

A powerful winter storm is bringing heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously cold temperatures to the central U.S., with conditions expected to worsen through the rest of the week, forecasters warned.

The powerful storm is expected to "produce widespread disruptive and potentially crippling impacts across the central and eastern United States" through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service.

Low temperatures combined with forceful winds are leading to wind chills as low as minus 40 degrees in some areas, which can cause frostbite within minutes.

What to know

• A significant and disruptive storm system is producing a multitude of weather hazards, including record cold, strong winds, life-threatening wind chills, freezing rain and heavy snowfall.
• The storm has caused temperatures to fall rapidly in some parts of the country, with drops of 40 or more degrees in a matter of hours. The storm is expected to become a bomb cyclone early Friday.
• The severe weather is causing travel chaos across the U.S.

Around 100 million people are under winter weather alerts. Thousands of flights have been canceled ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend.

Storm makes a mess of holiday travel

Southeast to face wind chills of 5 or 0 degrees.

Phil Helsel

The city of Charleston, South Carolina, was among those opening warming centers as the southeastern U.S. braced for wind chill values as low as 0 degrees.

A swath of the South and the Southeast, including Georgia and the Carolinas, will be under wind chill advisories starting Friday.

In Charleston, warming centers have been opened for people to get out of the cold.

On Saturday, the temperatures are expected to approach an all-time low for Dec. 24 that was set in 1989, when the city’s airport recorded 16 degrees, said Douglas Berry, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Charleston.

The high in the city Saturday will be in the low-to-mid 30s — normally it’s around 62, he said.

Atlanta’s zoo will be closed starting Friday, and the city also opened warming centers through Tuesday. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency starting Wednesday. Hard freeze warnings also covered a swath of the South from Louisiana to northern Florida on Wednesday night.

More than 1,200 Friday flights scrubbed

More than 1,250 flights scheduled for Friday have been canceled in Midwestern or East Coast states amid a major winter, according to a flight-tracking site.

Some airports have already been battered by the storm, such as Chicago, and flights in other parts of the country have been canceled ahead of the anticipated cold temperatures and high winds.

More than 430 flights to or from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports scheduled for Friday have been canceled, according to the website FlightAware.com .

LaGuardia Airport in New York City had a combined 308, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport had 293, and Boston Logan International Airport had 207, according to the site.

New York City is expected to get strong winds and heavy rain starting Thursday night and through Friday, according to the National Weather Service , and it could have a flash freeze.

The weather service in Boston is predicting torrential rain and damaging winds overnight and into Friday.

NHL postpones two Friday games because of weather

The NHL has postponed two hockey games scheduled for Friday, one in Canada and one in Buffalo, New York, because of a winter storm battering large parts of both countries.

The Detroit Red Wings’ game against the Ottawa Senators in Canada scheduled for Friday will instead be played Tuesday, the league announced Thursday .

On Wednesday, the NHL said Friday’s game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres will be postponed until March 4.

A blizzard warning is in effect for Buffalo starting at 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said . Around 3 feet of snow could fall, and winds could gust at 65 mph, it said. Wind chills are expected to reach as low as minus 20 degrees.

Thousands of Texans without power as cold, wind hit state

More than 58,000 Texas homes and businesses were without power Thursday evening as a winter storm with frigid temperatures and winds hit the state.

There were 58,498 customers without power at 6:30 p.m., according to the outage-tracking website poweroutage.us .

The power utility Oncor, which had over 19,000 customers without power, tweeted that crews are responding to weather events as quickly as they are able. Around 8,000 of its affected customers were in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to its website .

The main problem is the wind, Oncor spokesperson Kerri Dunn said. There have been sustained winds of 25 mph to 35 mph Thursday and gusts higher than that, she said. The utility covers around one-third of Texas, she said.

The state power grid manager, ERCOT, said on Twitter that it “has all available resources on-line or in reserve in preparation to meet electric demands.”

ERCOT was at the center of a controversy in February 2021 after a storm caused widespread outages that lasted days. ERCOT said it had to implement blackouts to prevent the grid from collapsing.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission called it “the largest manually controlled load shedding event in U.S. history." More than 200 people died, according to state officials.

On Thursday, an ERCOT spokesperson said that it did "expect sufficient generation to meet demand" for this storm.

It was 14 degrees, with a wind chill of minus 5 degrees, at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport just before 7 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service .

N.Y. governor: Travelers should make the trip before Friday

New Yorkers planning to leave town for Christmas should hit the road soon, Gov. Kathy Hochul urged Thursday as she declared a state of emergency ahead of a major winter storm.

“I encourage New Yorkers who are considering traveling for the holidays to do so before Friday or after Sunday to stay safe,” Hochul said in a statement .

Rapid temperature drops will cause flash freezing, and most of the state should expect 60-mph winds, she said.

New York State Police warned that high winds, whiteout conditions and freezing temperatures will make travel Friday and Saturday “highly dangerous.”

A commercial vehicle ban will be in place for Interstate 90 from Rochester to the Pennsylvania border starting at 6 a.m. Friday, the governor's office said.

500 crashes reported in Minnesota and Iowa

State authorities in Minnesota and Iowa responded to more than 570 crashes Thursday as a freezing winter storm brought ice and blizzard conditions to both states, officials said.

No deaths were reported. The Minnesota State Patrol reported 365 crashes and 220 spinouts or vehicles off the road from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There were 22 people hurt, none of them seriously.

The Iowa State Patrol said it had responded to 207 crashes by 5 p.m.

“Reminder, travel is NOT advised on MANY roads today in Iowa. Areas that look clear have layers of ICE causing slick road conditions,” the state patrol tweeted earlier Thursday.

Large parts of both states were under blizzard warnings Thursday. They were far from alone: Blizzard warnings also covered parts of the Dakotas, part of Wisconsin and western and northern Michigan.

More than 100 million people were under some kind of winter weather alert across the U.S., according to the National Weather Service .

Swan rescued from frozen lake in Michigan

Alicia Victoria Lozano

Michigan law enforcement officers rescued an injured swan that had been trapped in a frozen lake 40 miles north of Detroit, in Orion Township.

A search-and-rescue team with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office used a watercraft and "a dose of TLC" to retrieve the swan from Voorheis Lake, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Residents living near the lake reported seeing a swan in apparent distress Wednesday. On Thursday morning, sheriff's officials used a hovercraft to break the ice around the swan, then draped a blanket over its head and removed it from the lake.

The swan, which had an injured leg, was turned over to animal control for care.

"I am proud of their efforts and optimistic that an animal rehabilitator will be able to nurse this swan back to full health to be released," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.

Iowa sports reporter goes viral after ranting about covering the blizzard

An Iowa sports reporter is going viral after he tweeted a montage of hilarious clips of his reluctant coverage of the blizzard.

"I normally do sports, and everything is canceled here for the next of couple of days, so what better time to ask the sports guys to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up, go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same," Mark Woodley of NBC affiliate KWWL of Waterloo, says in the video, which he posted to Twitter.

His post has gotten more than 15,000 likes since this morning. Director Judd Apatow, who retweeted the video, called Woodley a " legend ."

“Of all the things that I thought I’d be known for in my life, crotchety old weather reporter was not on the list,” Woodley told NBC's " TODAY " show.

Storm leads to more than 2,200 flight cancellations nationwide

More than 2,200 flights have been canceled and nearly 7,000 others have been delayed as the winter storm continues to disrupt holiday travel and cause headaches for hundreds of thousands of passengers, according to FlightAware .

Many of the cancellations and delays are at two of the country's busiest airports.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport has reported at least 550 cancellations and more than 500 delays. Chicago Midway International Airport has had more than 250 cancellations and 73 delays.

Denver International Airport had recorded 565 cancellations and nearly 580 delays as of Thursday afternoon. And Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has had 468 flights delayed and 106 canceled.

More than 100 million people under winter alerts

Minyvonne Burke

Steve Strouss

More than 100 million people are under winter weather alerts, including 11 million under blizzard warnings, as a giant storm system dumps snow, heavy rain and ice across the U.S. In parts of the northern Plains and the northern Rockies, temperatures dropped by as much as 40 degrees in an hour, while parts of the Midwest have gotten heavy snow.

Powerful winds are also a cause for concern. Wind chill alerts have been issued for 143 million people from Washington state to Florida. From Minnesota to Maine, winds could exceed 70 mph through Saturday.

Forecasters have warned that road conditions could be dangerous because strong winds are blowing the snow. The wind also raises the risk of falling tree branches and power outages.

The storm is expected to cause coastal flooding, as well, especially on Long Island, New York, and in southern New England. Floods are also a risk around the Great Lakes. In total, 41 million people are under flood alerts.

More than 1,800 flights canceled as storm worsens

More than 1,800 flights to and from airports around the U.S. had been canceled as of Thursday afternoon, according to FlightAware.com. Nearly 4,000 flights within, to or out of the U.S. have been delayed.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport tweeted Thursday morning that airlines there had pre-emptively canceled nearly 470 flights.

School districts across the country cancel classes

Some school districts across the U.S. have announced closures Thursday and Friday as the large winter storm system brings snow, wind and freezing temperatures to much of the country. Schools in Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Virginia and Maryland were among the many that shut down Thursday in preparation for dangerous winter conditions.

Below are some of the districts canceling classes Friday:

• Syracuse City School District in New York
• Buffalo Public Schools in New York
• Beaver Dam Unified School District in Wisconsin
• Bloomfield Hills Schools in Michigan
• University of Northern Colorado
• Pittsburgh Public Schools in Pennsylvania
• Blooming Prairie Public Schools in Minnesota

Native American tribes announce mass closures on reservations

Safia Samee Ali

Native American reservations in several states have shut down offices and closed roads amid dangerous weather conditions, and are also grappling with supply shortages. 

With temperatures dropping well below freezing in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota on Thursday, several tribal councils asked residents to stay home and off the roads. 

The Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota issued a “no travel advisory” Wednesday due to cold weather and low visibility, after being pummeled with snow. The tribal council warned that immobilized vehicles on the road would be fined and removed in order to keep emergency routes clear. 

Earlier this week, the reservation reported propane shortages, which in turn led water pipes to freeze and left families without heat or drinking water, according to  KELO-TV in Sioux Falls.

“We’re running short on a lot of equipment,” Robert Oliver, the tribe’s emergency manager, told KELO. “Some of our equipment is breaking down. We have a lot of people out there who are needing propane, needing firewood, needing groceries.”

In western Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation announced office and school district closures amid temperatures of minus 26 Thursday. Health clinics on the reservation were open with minimal staffing and reserved for emergencies. 

Wood delivery and plowing were halted at the Blackfoot Reservation in Browning, Montana, due to severe wind chills and for “the safety of the staff.” The reservation closed its grocery store and casino early Wednesday.

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in central North Dakota granted administrative leave to many “nonessential employees” Thursday due to the extreme weather.

In Pawhuska, Oklahoma, the Osage Nation closed tribal offices and health services Thursday.

When will the storm be most severe in your area?

Elizabeth Chuck

Millions of people across the country will face heavy snow, strong winds and bone-chilling temperatures in the coming days. This is a partial list of where and when conditions are forecast to be the most severe:

• A "record-breaking cold air mass" is moving across the southern Plains on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service . Gusts of up to 60 mph are likely to cause wind chills as low as minus 40 degrees across much of the Intermountain West.
• By Thursday evening, parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast are expected to experience temperatures in the single digits or teens. NBC News meteorologists say Dallas temperatures could drop below freezing for 72 hours, with the lowest wind chill of minus 6 degrees coming late Thursday.
• The Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes region will see snow and strong winds Thursday and Friday. The lowest wind chill expected in Chicago is around minus 30 degrees, and the city's strongest wind gusts could reach 50 mph Friday morning.
• Washington, D.C., is expected to get heavy rain Thursday afternoon and evening, then a flash freeze Friday morning and its strongest winds in the afternoon.
• In New York City, heavy rain is forecast to fall late Thursday into Friday morning. The city will likely experience its strongest winds Friday morning, with gusts up to 50 mph, then a flash freeze in the afternoon.
• And in Orlando, temperatures are predicted to drop to 31 degrees Saturday morning with wind chills in the low 20s.

What is a snow squall?

Cities across the country faced snow squall warnings Thursday. This winter weather phenomenon is characterized by sudden whiteout conditions that make it difficult to see, according to the National Weather Service . Snow squalls move quickly and are often associated with strong cold fronts and low temperatures.

Snow squalls usually last less than an hour but are particularly dangerous for motorists. Because of the snow accumulation, strong winds, falling temperatures and low visibility, traffic accidents are common in these conditions.

Numerous snow squall warnings have been issued. The Wichita, Kansas, area was under a warning until 10 a.m. local time. The snow squall warning for Bartlesville, Oklahoma, lasted until 10:15 a.m. local time. And in Rapid City, South Dakota, forecasters issued a warning until 2 p.m. local time.

'Please take this storm seriously,' Biden pleads

Summer Concepcion

President Joe Biden on Thursday urged people who are under threat from “dangerous, threatening” weather to heed local warnings.

In remarks shortly before a briefing with FEMA and the National Weather Service, he said he has tried to contact 26 governors whose states are affected by the extreme weather.

Biden stressed this is “not like a snow day when you are a kid” and urged the public to “please take this storm seriously.”

“If you have travel plans, leave now — not a joke,” the president said, adding that he advised his staff to do so as well.

Storm leaves South Dakota motorists stranded, causes nearly 50 crashes in Minnesota

Minnesota authorities responded to nearly 50 vehicle crashes between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, according to its State Patrol . Four people were injured but no deaths have been reported. Wet roadways also caused 118 vehicle spinouts and a crash involving a semi-truck, the State Patrol said.

In South Dakota, the winter storm system left some motorists stranded on city streets, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Workers removed people from their cars throughout the night. A photo from the agency showed people sleeping on makeshift beds on the floor of a building.

114 million people are under winter weather alerts

Erin McGarry

As the giant storm system sweeps across the United States, 114 million people are under winter weather alerts, and blizzard warnings are in effect for portions of eight states. 

More than 120 million people are under wind chill alerts. Forecasters said temperatures in some areas have dropped more than 30 degrees in a matter of minutes. By the time the weather system has moved through, an estimated 192 million people across 46 states will have experienced wind chills below zero.

Residents of parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and the Plains woke up Thursday morning to snow, while areas to the southeast up into Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania were hit with a messy wintry mix and heavy rain.

As the storm moves across the northern Ohio Valley, it is expected to become a bomb cyclone.

Weather forecasters warn that heavy rain could cause coastal flooding in cities including Boston and New York. A flood warning is in effect in New York City from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, while Boston is under a warning from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

NHL cancels game because of 'severe winter storm'

Henry Austin

Friday's game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres has been postponed because of the "severe winter storm," the NHL said in a statement.

The game will instead be played at Buffalo's KeyBank Center on March 4, the statement said.

Atlanta to open warming centers

Juliette Arcodia

Atlanta is set to open two emergency warming centers due to the impending drop in temperatures. The locations will open Thursday at 8 p.m. and remain open until Tuesday morning.

Holiday postal deliveries on track for Christmas despite delays

Shannon Pettypiece

WASHINGTON — With just days to go until Christmas, the U.S. Postal Service says it is on track to meet its holiday delivery  deadlines , despite worker shortages across the country that have caused delays and disruptions to mail and package deliveries in the run-up to the holidays. 

The Postal Service expects all priority mail packages shipped by Dec. 19 and express packages shipped by Dec. 23 to arrive at their destinations by Christmas. The agency said on-time deliveries have increased from last year, with nearly 92% of first-class letters arriving within one to five days. Around 96% of packages have been getting to their destinations on time this month, according to the independent data firm  Shipmatrix . 

It’s a vast improvement from where the Postal Service was at this time  two years ago , when a wave of Covid infections, a surge in online shopping and operational issues resulted in weeks of delays for holiday packages.

Read the full article here.

Heavy snowfall in Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Travel will be 'dangerous' in the Great Lakes region, forecasters warn

Land and air travel will be “dangerous” and “at times impossible,” in the Great Lakes region leading up to the holiday weekend, the National Weather Service warned Thursday.

Snowfall could exceed a foot, the weather service said in a bulletin, adding that “wind gusts of over 50 mph will result in near-zero visibility and considerable blowing and drifting of snow.”

“This will lead to dangerous, to at times impossible, land and air travel leading up to the holiday weekend,” the bulletin said.

Near-blizzard conditions reported in Kansas

Matthew Mulligan

Record temperature drop recorded at Denver International Airport

Temperatures in Denver are expected to sink below zero by Thursday morning, the National Weather Service has warned.

Forecasters reported that the temperature Wednesday plummeted by 37 degrees in one hour at Denver International Airport — from 42 F to 5 F — a record drop at that location.

“That’s the kind of changes that are going to be occurring as this front pushes southward: rapid temperature drops, sometimes 50 or more degrees colder than the previous day,” said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the weather service. “It’s a pretty powerful, powerful system.”

Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois to face winter blast Thursday

Green Bay, Wisconsin; St. Louis; and Chicago could be among the major cities most affected Thursday by a freezing winter storm that is blanketing large parts of the country, according to forecasters.

Memphis, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas, could get rain and snow Thursday afternoon and evening, and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City could get heavy rain, according to NBC News’ Climate Unit.

Freezing temperatures have already been felt farther west. Snow began falling in Minnesota on Wednesday. From 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, there were more than 200 vehicle crashes and 189 spinouts, the State Patrol said . There were no deaths.

More than 59 million people, including most of Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota east to parts of Ohio, were under winter storm warnings Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service .

Another 7 million were under blizzard warnings, and wind chill warnings covered 57 million people, as far west as Washington state and including Texas and Tennessee, according to the agency. A low of 11 degrees was forecast for Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday. The wind chill will make it feel worse.

Airlines have pledged to waive change fees or to take other steps to help passengers in anticipation of travel disruptions.

More than 100 cars are stuck in South Dakota, authorities say

Tim Stelloh

Authorities in South Dakota were helping more than 100 drivers who were stranded when an arctic front blasted the region with subzero temperatures and near-blizzard conditions, officials said.

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the motorists were stuck between Rapid City and Wall. It told drivers to stay in their vehicles and call 911.

Stressed about holiday travel? Pack like a pro with these tips to make things easier

As we head into the busy holiday season, a lot of people may be getting ready to travel for the first time in a while and could be feeling a little rusty.

We wanted to help your winter getaways feel as stress-free as possible, so USA TODAY reached out to some professional travelers for their top tips on how to pack. Advice ranges from the best ways to get organized to planning around traveling with little kids. 

Here's a roundup of tips from influencers and journalists who travel as a day job, so you can pack like a pro:

Listen to the experts: My flight was canceled but I got most of my costs covered (after 3 months)

Thanksgiving travel: Americans will face record-high gas prices this year

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Get organized

Especially if you don't travel often, it can be hard to even figure out what you need to pack.

"Make a short list of any things you wouldn't be able to replace easily – passport, medication, prescription glasses, camera – and double-check these items," Alex Outhwaite , a television travel presenter, suggested. "That helps stop me stressing before I leave as I know that anything else other than those items can be easily bought when I'm away if necessary."

Once you know what you need, you can organize even further by keeping like with like in your luggage.

"The classic Army Roll technique is perfect for keeping clothing as small and compact as possible. Roll up your undies and socks for the day into your bottoms for ease," said Annette Richmond, who founded the Fat Girls Traveling Facebook group . "I then suggest placing items in packing cubes to save even more space. I would bring at least two packing cubes so that as you accumulate dirty clothes one of the packing cubes can be your laundry hamper."

USA TODAY travel reporter Kathleen Wong uses a reusable shopping bag to separate out her dirty laundry while on the road, and our other colleague Nathan Diller said he likes to keep his liquid toiletries in plastic bags to prevent any en route spillage. 

"It's much easier to travel when carrying less," said Jae'lynn Chaney, CEO of Jae Bae Productions . She and Richmond added that a portable luggage scale can help keep you honest and avoid overweight bag fees. Experts also recently told USA TODAY that it's usually a good idea to stick to carry-on luggage whenever possible if you're flying.

Caroline Hershey, who runs the Jet with a Set blog, said that families with young kids can follow this same advice, even if it seems more daunting. 

“Pack light. You can usually find a place to do laundry," she said.

Bonjour Paris: JetBlue announces its next European destination

Leave some space

You don't want your suitcase to be totally full on departure because you could need more room on the way back, whether it's for souvenirs or less neatly-folded dirty laundry.

"Don't pack to the brim. Leave space for new things you buy there," said USA TODAY travel editor Josh Rivera . 

Chaney agreed. "Leave a little bit of room in your luggage for things you might purchase during your trip; this way, you can avoid paying extra luggage fees on the trip home," she said.

Family travel: What you need to know about letting your kid fly as an unaccompanied minor

Keep the important stuff with you

From medicine and documents to underwear and chargers, you don't want to wind up losing something you need.

"Pack anything you think you may need urgently in your carry-on," said USA TODAY travel reporter Eve Chen . "Pack a few basic first aid things like Band-Aids, ibuprofen and Pepto Bismol."

Chaney added that it's a good idea to bring some clothes in your carry-on even if you're checking a bag.

"Always pack at least one full outfit and an extra pair of shoes in your carry-on bag when flying," she said. "This way, you have clothes to change into if your luggage gets lost."

Ask the Captain: What happens to flights when there’s a weather disruption?

Track your luggage

As issues with lost luggage escalated over the summer, luggage tracking became increasingly popular.

"Air Tags or Luggage Tracker app will give you peace of mind if your luggage gets lost or delayed," Richmond said.

Traveling this holiday season?: Here are the best packing tips from a professional stylist

Don't be afraid to shop while you're there

Whether you're traveling to see family or just going on vacation, chances are you'll be able to get necessities wherever you go as well as souvenirs.

"Any place you go, they have kids there too and you can buy anything on the ground in terms of food or diapers," Hershey said. "Avoid packing things you can get at your destination."

Though of course, that advice applies to adults too.

"Buy whatever you need there," Rivera advised. 

'The space was not built for me': Plus-size flyers say airlines have room to improve

Know your rights

Another way to reduce stress is to be a well-informed traveler. Whether that means knowing how much your airline will let you carry on, or where the gas stations are along your drive, the more you know, the more prepared you'll feel.

Chaney said this advice can be especially important for disabled travelers. 

"As a plus-size woman who lives with disabilities and utilizes both a wheelchair and portable oxygen concentrator when traveling, I always recommend that travelers who are traveling with medical equipment know the policies surrounding their specific device," she said. "For example, my wheelchair can be checked for free and doesn't count as checked luggage when flying since it's a medical device. If you're traveling with any type of medical device or equipment, know that it can usually be checked with the airline you're flying with for free."

Airlines could do better: Disabled travelers say airlines need to improve wheelchair handling

How to Get on the Today Show

The Today Show, formerly known as Today, is one of America's most popular talk shows. It airs on NBC on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET, and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m ET. The program started in 1952 and was the first talk show of its kind. In this way, it set the stage for modern American television.

If you would like to join the crowd, note that there are no tickets to be on the show. You simply have to leave early and stand outside the Rockefeller Center concourse, where the show is taped.

With the Today Show's popularity, many fans line up early in the morning to be part of the on-air audience.

When to Arrive

The key to being seen on the Today Show is arriving early to stake out a good spot. If you think you can show up at 7 a.m. and be in the front row, then you're mistaken. The security guards say there are already people lined up when they arrive at 6 a.m. So set your alarm extra early to get to the corner of 49th and  Rockefeller Center  before dawn.

How to Get to the Today Show

Studio 1A, where the Today Show is filmed, can be found on 48th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Although you can take a cab or ride-share to the Today plaza, you may hit rush-hour traffic, especially around the busy Rockefeller Center area. With this in mind, the subway is probably your best bet. The B/D/F/M stops at 47-50 St.-Rockefeller Center, or there's the N/Q/R/W at 49 St., just a block away.

When you arrive, you will first need to pass through security and register. To check-in more quickly and efficiently, it's recommended that you RSVP online .

How to Stand out from the Crowd

Where you should stand depends on what you're most hoping to get out of the experience. Head to the front of the barricade if you just want to get on TV. If you're hoping to get a selfie with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, move towards 49th Street. For those who want to watch the action in Studio 1A, make sure to stay to the southeast corner, so you'll stand behind where the anchors sit.

It's also important to bring the goofiest sign you can think of as you'll be more likely to get attention. And of course, wear a camera-friendly smile and just enjoy yourself. You want all your friends to see how much fun you're having in New York City!

What to Do Nearby

There are plenty of things to do for tourists in Midtown. After the show, stick around Rockefeller Plaza for a behind-the-scenes tour of NBC Studios. Round out your experience with a trip to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for quintessential NYC skyline views.

When you're ready to leave Rockefeller Center, the historic and architecturally impressive St. Patrick's Cathedral is just around the corner. And if you love art, you'll be delighted to know that the Museum of Modern Art is only a few blocks away, on 53rd Street.

If you've never been to the Today Show before, there are some insider tips you may want to consider. 

• Wear comfortable shoes ; standing around for hours can get tiresome.
• Come with your friends. There's nothing better than having fun people with you while you wait.
• Dress for the weather. You don't want to get up that early and have to leave because you're too cold. In the winter , pack hand warmers and waterproof boots for standing in the snow. If rain is in the forecast, be sure to bring an umbrella.
• There is a designated section for those with disabilities. If you need to be accommodated, ask the Plaza Page at the front of the line for assistance.
• TODAY advises that fans visiting on Mondays and Fridays should arrive even earlier than 6 a.m., as these are the most popular days to attend. If getting there at 5:30 a.m. (or even earlier) sounds unlikely, plan to attend the show another day of the week.

How to Get Tickets for a TV Show Taping at Rockefeller Center

CitySights NY Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

How to Get Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show Tickets

Universal Studios Hollywood Visitors Guide

Guide to Skating at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink

How to Travel From LaGuardia Airport to Brooklyn by Subway, Bus, and Car

The Complete Guide to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City

How to Travel from Washington, DC to New York City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Where to Get Saturday Night Live Tickets

How to See the Good Morning America Show in New York City

48 Hours in Minneapolis: The Perfect Itinerary

Getting Around Madrid: Guide to Public Transportation

Small Air Travel Upgrades You Can Totally Afford

Christmas Festivities at Universal Studios Hollywood

Rockefeller Center in New York: The Complete Guide

Tips for Being a Smart Universal Studios Hollywood Visitor

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Massive winter storm causes travel issues and power outages in parts of the U.S.

David Schaper

A widespread winter storm is dumping snow and causing freezing rain though large parts of the United States, leading to travel disruptions and some power outages.

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9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

______________

ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

______________ Advertisement

SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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What to Watch This Weekend: A Supernatural Dramedy

“The Big Door Prize” returns for another season of charming small-town folks grappling with their fates.

• Share full article

By Margaret Lyons

“The Big Door Prize,” on Apple TV+, is set among humble, fragile people, and it cradles them with gentle care. But the show itself is full of moxie — not defiant but confident that yes, it can blend “Gilmore Girls” with “The Leftovers.” Quirk and ache, baby! Come and get it.

The show is set in the sweet small town of Deerfield, where everyone attends elaborate local festivals and enjoys the garish Italian restaurant where you can sit in a gondola. Then one day a fortunetelling machine called the Morpho appears in the general store, promising to reveal one’s true potential. In Season 1, the cards it spit out seemingly told characters what their true fate was: magician, royalty, or in the case of Chris O’Dowd’s repressed family man, “teacher/whistler.” In Season 2, the next level awaits. When the Deerfield denizens put their cards back into the machine’s slot, each sees a unique, personal 32-bit videogame on the screen, though one absorbs it more than plays it. For some, the interlude resolves their greatest regrets; for others, the action is too cryptic to understand at first glance.

“Door” uses plenty of tricks from mystery-box shows and from, of course, its own literal mystery box. Little overlapping connections abound, and throwaway objects become significant totems. Like lots of high-end shows, it has departure episodes that focus more on side characters — but because the show features such a broad cast, almost every episode has that feel. “Door” avoids many of the frustrating aspects of its various predecessors by only glancingly investigating the Morpho’s origins. The show’s central question is not “Where did this come from?” but “What should I do?”

Despite the woo-woo goings on, the folks here are not at much of an advantage. Being told exactly who they were didn’t liberate anyone per se, and living out one’s own little Greek myth is no great treat. Does being told you’re a liar make you more truthful? If a big ego is authentic, earned self-love and not just a cover for insecurity, might it be wonderful? If you regret one big life decision, does that mean you regret all the decisions that followed it?

All 10 episodes from Season 1 of “The Big Door Prize” are available along with the first four from Season 2, with new episodes arriving Wednesdays. Because they are each a blissful half-hour, they make for a superb binge.

Margaret Lyons is a television critic at The Times, and writes the TV parts of the Watching newsletter . More about Margaret Lyons

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help.a.

Andy Serkis, the star of the earlier “Planet of the Apes” movies, and Owen Teague, the new lead, discuss the latest film in the franchise , “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

The HBO series “The Sympathizer” is not just a good story, it’s a sharp piece of criticism on Vietnam war movies, our critic writes .

In “Dark Matter,” the new Apple TV+ techno-thriller, a portal to parallel realities allows people to visit new worlds and revisit their own past decisions .

The tennis movie “Challengers” comes to an abrupt stop midmatch, so we don’t know who won. Does that matter? Our critics have thoughts .

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

Politics latest: Keir Starmer accused of 'rank hypocrisy' by Rishi Sunak after setting out what he'll do to tackle small boat crossings

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer lays out his party's plans to try and tackle small boat crossings if it wins power. Listen to the latest episode of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast as you scroll.

Friday 10 May 2024 18:30, UK

• Starmer says small boat crossings 'one of the greatest challenges we face'
• Explained: What's in Labour's plan to try and tackle problem
• Darren McCaffrey: Will Labour's plan cut it with voters?
• Starmer says no flights to Rwanda will take off under Labour
• Sunak accuses Starmer of 'rank hypocrisy'
• Electoral Dysfunction:  Jess Phillips says Elphicke defection like 'being punched in gut'
• UK exits recession | Economy 'returning to full health'
• Faultlines:   Can British farming survive?
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

Across the UK, anger is brewing amongst some farmers.  

Protests have already been held in London, Dover and Cardiff, with more planned - mirroring similar tensions seen across Europe in the last six months.     

They say they’re annoyed about cheap foreign imports and changes to subsidies forcing them to give up land in favour of environmental schemes.    

But what does this mean for the food on our table - and does British produce risk becoming a luxury product for the wealthy only?    

On the Sky News Daily , Niall Paterson is joined by West of England and Wales correspondent Dan Whitehead to find out why farmers are so concerned, and speaks to Liz Webster, the founder of Save British Farming, about why she believes eating British isn't just good for our farmers - it's good for the nation's health, too.   

In response to our report, Farming Minister Mark Spencer, said: "We firmly back our farmers. British farming is at the heart of British trade, and we put agriculture at the forefront of any deals we negotiate, prioritising new export opportunities, protecting UK food standards and removing market access barriers. 

"We've maintained the £2.4bn annual farming budget and recently set out the biggest ever package of grants which supports farmers to produce food profitably and sustainably."

The Welsh government said: "A successful future for Welsh farming should combine the best of our traditional farming alongside cutting-edge innovation and diversification. 

"It will produce the very best of Welsh food to the highest standards, while safeguarding our precious environment and addressing the urgent call of the climate and nature emergencies."

👉  Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts   👈

Following the defection of the Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour, Beth, Ruth and Jess discuss the surprise move and whether it could have been handled differently by Sir Keir Starmer.

They also talk about Beth's interview with the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and his warnings about Reform UK.

Plus, how significant was the defeat of former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street? Beth and Jess were both there to tell the story.

And they answer a question on Labour and the Muslim vote, and what the party can do to restore confidence and trust.

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.     

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

In January 2023, Rishi Sunak made five promises.

Since then, he and his ministers have rarely missed an opportunity to list them. In case you haven't heard, he promised to:

• Halve inflation • Grow the economy • Reduce debt • Cut NHS waiting lists and times • Stop the boats

See below how he is doing on these goals:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local elections complete, Labour is still sitting comfortably ahead, with the Tories trailing behind.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

Speaking to Sky political editor  Beth Rigby , Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to allow Tory MP Natalie Elphicke into Labour.

Ms Elphicke was on the right of the Conservative spectrum, and previously defended her sex-offender ex-husband, comments which she apologised for this week following her defection.

Addressing Tory voters, Sir Keir says he wants Labour to be a "place where they who have ambitions about their families, their communities, their country, can join and be part of what we are trying to build for their country".

Asked by Beth if he was ruthless, Sir Keir said: "Yes, I'm ruthless in trying to ensure we have a Labour government that can change this country for the better.

"Not ruthless for my own ambition, not ruthlessness particularly for the Labour Party - I'm ruthless for the country. 

"The only way we'll bring about a change in this country is if we're ruthless about winning that general election and putting in place a government of public service, that’ll be a major change.

"Politics, I believe, should be about public service, that's what I've been about all my life."

More now from political editor Beth Rigby's interview with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

She reminded him that he previously ruled out doing a deal with the SNP - but has not done so for the Liberal Democrats.

Sir Keir again ruled out a coalition with the SNP - adding that he is aiming for a "majority Labour government".

He says Labour needs "to keep working hard, keep disciplined and getting our message across, which is something fundamental to me".

Pushed on his lack of ruling out a possible agreement with the Lib Dems, Sir Keir says: "I'm going for a majority.

"That's the answer I gave you a year ago. It's the same answer I'm giving you now."

Sir Keir Starmer was earlier today pushed on whether Rwanda deportation flights will take off if he was prime minister - although it was not clear if he would cancel flights which had already been organised.

Sky News understood that previously booked deportation flights to Rwanda would still go ahead if Sir Keir entered Number 10. 

But the Labour leader has now gone further.

Speaking to political editor Beth Rigby , Sir Keir has ruled out any flights taking off.

"There will be no flights scheduled or taking off after general election if Labour wins that general election," he says.

He says: "Every flight that takes off carries with it a cheque to the Rwanda government. 

"So I want to scrap the scheme - so that means the flights won't be going."

Sir Keir says he would rather spend the money on his own measures to counter small boats.

"No flights, no Rwanda scheme. It's a gimmick," he says.

By Alix Culbertson , political reporter

Scotland's new first minister has told Sky News that the controversial gender recognition reforms "cannot be implemented."

John Swinney,  who became first minister this week , has faced questions over his stance on gender recognition after MSPs voted in 2022 to pass a bill to make it simpler for people to change their gender without having to obtain a medical diagnosis.

The UK government blocked the bill from being made into law and the Supreme Court rejected a request by the Scottish government for a judicial review.

Asked if he would be fighting to push the bill through, Mr Swinney told Sky News: "The reality of the situation we face is that the Supreme Court has said that we can't legislate in that area. We can't take forward that legislation."

The UK economy is no longer in recession, according to official figures.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a better-than-expected 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Economists had predicted the figure would be 0.4%.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it showed the economy had "turned a corner".

He told Sky News's Ed Conway: "I am pleased that while there's more work to do, today's figures show that the economy now has real momentum, and I'm confident that with time, people will start to feel the benefits of that.

"We've had multiple months now where wages are rising, energy bills have fallen, mortgage rates are down and taxes are being cut... I'm pleased with the progress that we're making."

Mr Sunak added: "I am confident the economy is getting healthier every week."

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Rishi Sunak has criticised Sir Keir Starmer's position on Rwanda as "rank hypocrisy".

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister says the Labour leader has announced things the government is "already doing".

He gives the example of "punching through the backlog, having more law enforcement officers do more, that's all happening already".

"We've announced all of that more than a year ago," the prime minister adds.

"The question for Keir Starmer if he cares so much about that, why did he vote against the new laws that we passed to give our law enforcement officers new powers? 

"They've now used those to arrest almost 8,000 people connected with illegal migration, sentenced them to hundreds of years in prison.

"And if it was up to him, all those people would be out on our streets, so I think it's rank hypocrisy property of his position."

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