This evening marks Santa Claus’s annual journey from the North Pole to distribute gifts to children worldwide. As tradition dictates, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will actively track Santa’s expedition for Christmas 2023.
NORAD, entrusted with safeguarding the skies above the United States and Canada, has diligently monitored Santa’s Christmas Eve voyage for the past 68 years.
For those eager to follow Saint Nick’s adventures this Christmas, here’s the latest update:
Where is Santa right now?
As of approximately 1:15 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, NORAD reports that Santa is currently traversing the southern United States en route to Kingsville, Texas, near the Mexican border. Previously, his journey took him across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. NORAD estimates that he has already delivered an impressive 6.5 trillion gifts.
The live NORAD Santa tracker is available, allowing you to observe Santa’s real-time progress on the map below. Keep an eye on his festive journey as it unfolds.
Operators will be available for assistance at 1-877-HI-NORAD starting at 6 a.m. ET on Christmas Eve, ready to provide updates on Santa’s current location for families who wish to inquire.
During the previous Christmas Eve, NORAD and dedicated volunteers handled an impressive 73,000 calls, as reported by the Pentagon.
When will Santa come to your house?
NORAD employs a sophisticated combination of radars, satellites, and jet fighters to meticulously monitor Santa’s journey.
The North Warning System, NORAD’s radar system, is specifically designed to keep a vigilant eye on the North Pole each Christmas. As soon as the radar signals Santa’s takeoff, NORAD leverages the same satellites used for air warning against potential missile launches aimed at North America.
NORAD’s Santa tracker website reveals that satellites positioned 22,300 miles above the Earth, equipped with infrared sensors, play a crucial role in tracking Santa. Remarkably, Rudolph’s distinctive red nose emits an infrared signature akin to a missile launch, and the satellites effortlessly detect this bright red beacon.
In the airspace above North America, Canadian and American jet fighters actively welcome Santa and his reindeer, providing an escort for their safe journey. Despite Santa’s exceptional speed, surpassing that of any jet fighter, NORAD’s integrated systems ensure a continuous and accurate understanding of his whereabouts throughout the festive night.
Curious about when Santa will make his visit to your home? NORAD emphasizes the challenge of predicting Santa’s precise arrival since only Santa himself knows his route. However, based on historical patterns, it’s likely that Santa will arrive between 9 p.m. and midnight on December 24. NORAD advises that if children are still awake when Santa arrives, he will move on to other houses and return later, ensuring he only makes his deliveries when the little ones are peacefully asleep.