NORTH POLE (CBS12) — Santa has left the North Pole! That’s right, Kris Kringle’s big night has begun and kids around the globe will soon be waking up to see what’s under the Christmas tree. The excitement builds for all the good boys and girls, who’ll want to know how soon the jolly old elf will fly through their towns. After all, the risk of not having the milk and cookies ready and getting all settled down comfortably is too big when presents are on the line.
So, how do children track Santa’s movements? That’s where the U.S. Air Force – particularly NORAD – steps in. The agency’s annual Santa Tracker has its eyes turned to the sky and its staff is ready to follow Old Saint Nick’s supersonic escapade to brighten the faces of children everywhere.
According to CBS12, as soon as the reindeer take flight, they are expected to start over the Pacific Ocean, meandering their way west, bouncing from continent to continent at astonishing speeds. They’re predicted to reach the East Coast late Tuesday evening. With cloudy skies looming, Santa might even have to call upon Rudolph to guide his sleigh, highlighting the added magic of the experience.
NORAD’s Santa Tracker has become part of holiday tradition since its inception more than 60 years ago. The Associated Press reports at least 100,000 kids will call to find out where Santa is, with millions more checking the agency’s website, which is available in nine languages.
Departing from the North Pole as families sleep, Santa’s global mission is eagerly anticipated. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) based out of North Bay, Ontario, oversees the tracking operations. Operations Superintendent MSgt. Troy Hall shared, “For us, it’s a very monumental task.”
The flight crew at NORAD is tasked with identifying Santa along his route. “Anything flying over Canada’s airspace must be identified,” said Capt. Gabrielle Cardin, emphasizing the festive yet serious nature of their mission.
Each year, the crew utilizes advanced technology like infrared sensors and ground radar to locate Santa when he departs the North Pole. “We have radars along the northern part of Canada called the North Warning System,” Cpl. Colby Ramson explained. This system helps initially pick up Santa’s flight details.
Once Santa is spotted, CF-18 jets are scrambled to escort him safely along his route, ensuring he delivers gifts without interruption. “Santa only visits once each year, and this is our only chance to see him,” MSgt. Hall mentioned, capturing the excitement of the crew members.
The NORAD Santa Tracker originated back in 1955, beginning with a misprinted phone number listed on a local advertisement. A child misdialed, connecting instead with the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, which reassured the child they were speaking with Santa. This informal tracking continued when NORAD was established and has become integral to Christmas Eve celebrations.
Tracking Santa from North Bay has been the focal point of the operation for over 40 years. Many crew members recall their childhood experience of checking the NORAD website excitedly. Ramson shared how even his younger siblings anticipate the tracker’s updates each year.
Santa is expected to fly over the Canadian Maritimes around 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, before continuing westward. Many families are ready and waiting, filled with anticipation as the night progresses. “I’m super excited to be part of the team,” said Hall, highlighting the joy of the annual celebration.
Counting down to the magical encounter, children and families can engage with NORAD’s Santa Tracker via various means. For direct updates, they can call 1-877-HI-NORAD or visit the dedicated website to see Santa's current location. The public can also keep up-to-date using the NORAD tracks Santa mobile app available for download.
Over the years, the tradition has reached millions, with NORAD noting not only hundreds of thousands of callers but also millions of online followers. The warmth and excitement of tracking Santa enrich the holiday spirit, making it memorable for families across the globe.
While Santa’s specific flight path may vary each year depending on conditions, NORAD helps facilitate the magic, adding to the wonder of Christmas Eve. Altogether, the annual mission blends cutting-edge technology with festive tradition, bringing communities together as they collectively monitor the cheerful progress of Santa Claus.
