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Winter Storm Winter Storm Disrupts U.S. With Power Outages and Icy Roads

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Follow the latest updates on the winter storm.

A widespread winter storm is disrupting travel and power across the U.S.

SAN ANTONIO — A sprawling winter storm reaching from North Texas to upstate New York continued its relentless trek across the country on Thursday, leaving thousands stranded at airports, shivering in their homes and facing freezing rain on icy roads.

Heavy snow and freezing rain were forecast to continue into Friday from the southwestern United States to New England, according to the National Weather Service , while portions of the South could see flash flooding and tornadoes. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas called it “one of the most significant icing events that we’ve had in the state of Texas in at least several decades.”

More than 5,000 flights across the country were canceled by Thursday afternoon — the worst day for cancellations since April 2020, at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic — and more than 2,300 were delayed, according to FlightAware , a tracking website. Dallas was hit particularly hard, with at least 65 percent of outgoing flights temporarily grounded at its largest airport until a runway could be reopened around lunchtime.

Power outages were a problem, too, with at least 300,000 homes and businesses losing electricity along the storm’s path, primarily in Ohio and Tennessee.

The arrival of single-digit temperatures, snow and sleet in North Texas came nearly a year after an eight-day freeze caused widespread power outages, plunging the state into darkness and claiming the lives of more than 240 people.

Mr. Abbott on Texas sought to reassure the state’s 29 million residents that this time, the power grid would hold.

“The power grid is performing very well,” he said during a news conference in Austin, adding that the state had enough power available to ride out the freezing temperatures.

Local officials urged motorists to stay off the roads in Dallas, and the Dallas and Fort Worth school districts, among the largest in the state, were closed for the rest of the week. Outside of Texas, black ice and highways slicked with snow led to several crashes in southeastern Kansas. In Arkansas, the Weather Service said conditions could cause continued power outages and make travel “very hazardous or impossible.”

In Memphis, ice began accumulating from a continuous freezing rain on Thursday, leading to traffic crashes, downed trees and power outages. Ice storm warnings were issued farther east, including parts of western Tennessee and Kentucky.

The situation at the highways was more dire in Illinois, where a portion of Interstate 57 was blocked for several hours on Thursday after several tractor-trailers jackknifed.

The conditions also threatened to delay deliveries as truck drivers encountered harsh conditions along their routes. At a snowy Ohio truck stop off Interstate 75 between Dayton and Cincinnati on Thursday, dozens of rigs sat idle.

“They said to try back tomorrow, so I’m stuck here at least until then,” said Barry Nelson, 50, who had driven an oil shipment from Houston to deliver to Monroe, Ohio, only to find the terminal closed because of the weather.

Some of the storm effects were still yet to be known. The widespread winter storm was expected to continue its destructive path east on Thursday night into Friday. One forecast predicted that Maine and upstate New York could see up to 18 inches of snow.

“This newest storm is poised to hit us with everything in the weather arsenal — heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain,” Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York said on Wednesday.

Even tornadoes, which tend to be common during warmer months, were reported by the unusually busy National Weather Service. In Sawyerville, Ala., south of Tuscaloosa, forecasters urged residents to take shelter as a “large and extremely dangerous” tornado formed. The Weather Service received reports of damaged homes, snapped and uprooted trees, and two pickup trucks that had flipped into a pond.

A tornado watch was extended to cover the entire central band of the state.

“Conditions are definitely supportive for any one of these organized storms to form into a tornado,” said Gerald Satterwhite, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Birmingham, Ala.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” warned the Weather Service, which said the tornado was moving east. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

Frustrated travelers endured a slew of cancellations at each of the three largest airports serving Ohio — Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — as well as at airports in St. Louis and in Austin, Texas.

On an average day, the Federal Aviation Administration handles 45,000 flights, meaning the cancellations and delays on Thursday affected more than 10 percent of air traffic in the United States. While there is much seasonal variation, daily cancellation totals tend to be fewer than 2 percent on average.

Despite the haphazard conditions, people across the country tried to make the best of it. In East Dallas, nine freezing friends met at Lakeland Hills Park, where they drank beer and rode Boogie Boards in the snow.

Others followed suit in Indianapolis, where some residents were excited about the snow. James Schubert said he wanted his 6-month-old daughter to experience snow for the first time.

“She likes watching the snow fall and blow around, so hopefully that translates into snow sports someday,” Mr. Schubert said.

Many residents heeded the warnings, though, and waited for the storm to pass. In southwestern Ohio, roads were quieter than usual and most schools and many factories closed their doors. Only a handful of customers braved the cold to get a bite at Angie’s Diner in Carlisle, a small city next to Interstate 75. John Delcamp, 59, an industrial worker, ordered a cheeseburger.

“The roads were fine,” Mr. Delcamp said, shaking his head at the closures.

Jay Slusser, who runs the cafe with his wife Angie, said, “If you watch the news, they are telling you to stay home, and it seems like people are.” Still, he said, even if the weather worsened, the diner would remain open.

Kevin Williams contributed reporting from Carlisle, Ohio, and Marina Trahan Martinez from Dallas. Niraj Chokshi also contributed reporting.

— Edgar Sandoval ,  Sophie Kasakove and Maggie Astor

More than 4,600 flights have been canceled nationwide.

The winter storm sweeping across much of the United States led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays on Thursday, with many more likely throughout the day.

As of early afternoon Eastern time, 4,762 flights scheduled to arrive at or depart from U.S. airports on Thursday had been canceled, and an additional 934 were delayed, according to FlightAware , a tracking website.

One of the hardest-hit cities was Dallas, which had about 800 canceled departures and about 750 canceled arrivals. At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, 65 percent of departing flights and 60 percent of arriving flights were canceled, and at Dallas Love Field Airport, 84 percent of departures and 78 percent of arrivals were canceled.

By a little after noon, Dallas-Fort Worth had reopened one runway but warned , “Due to ongoing weather conditions, we anticipate intermediate stoppages throughout the day to treat for snow and ice.”

A majority of flights were canceled at each of the three largest airports serving Ohio — Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — as well as at airports in St. Louis and in Austin, Texas.

On an average day, the Federal Aviation Administration handles 45,000 flights, meaning the cancellations and delays on Thursday are affecting more than 10 percent of air traffic in the United States. That is a remarkably high number: While there is much seasonal variation, daily cancellation totals tend to be less than 2 percent on average.

From January 2021 through November 2021 — the last period for which official data is available — 1.65 percent of U.S. flights were canceled, according to the Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics . (The total for the full year is likely to be somewhat higher because the Omicron variant caused a surge in cancellations around the holidays.)

Already, airlines have canceled nearly twice as many U.S. flights on Thursday as the 2,372 they did on Wednesday.

— Maggie Astor

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As Texas braces for a cold snap, officials promise the power grid will hold.

SAN ANTONIO — Nearly a year after a catastrophic winter storm led to sweeping power outages and left more than 200 people dead, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas reassured the state’s 29 million residents on Thursday that the power grid was expected to hold despite freezing temperatures across a large swath of the state.

“We are dealing with one of the most significant icing events that we’ve had in the state of Texas in at least several decades,” Mr. Abbott said. Still, he added, “the power grid is performing very well. There is plenty of power available at this time, as well as plenty of power expected for the remainder of today and early tomorrow.”

But the storm was not without impact: Nearly 70,000 Texas homes and businesses had no electricity Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us , a website that tracks power outages. There were no reports of widespread accidents or blocked roads.

Texas is no stranger to summer weather events such as heat waves and hurricanes. But officials were unprepared last February when an eight-day winter storm plunged the state into darkness and bitter cold .

Mr. Abbott said Thursday’s outages were caused by heavy winds affecting power lines or by icy conditions bringing down trees or tree limbs.

“Local power providers are bringing in extra resources to get those power lines back up,” he said during a news conference from Austin on Thursday morning, adding that more than 10,000 workers were trying to restore power.

During last year’s storm, which caused an estimated $130 billion in damages, disaster declarations were made for all of the state’s 254 counties after the power grid failed and more than 4.5 million customers lost electricity and heat. More than 240 people died from hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, car crashes, drownings and house fires.

This week, the freezing temperatures are mainly forecast to affect the Dallas metropolitan area and other cities in the northern part of the state, including Lubbock, and are expected to last only until Saturday. Meteorologists said the storm would bring sleet, freezing rain, ice and aggressive wind chills.

Flanked by state officials, Mr. Abbott said the state had prepared since last winter to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic power loss. He also signed an emergency declaration to offer aid to at least 17 counties affected by this week’s icy weather, and said the number could climb.

Last year’s storm has become a political liability for Mr. Abbott , who is seeking another term. His Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke, and other critics say many of the problems that pushed the Texas electrical grid to the brink of total collapse have not been addressed.

For example, the companies that operate the natural gas systems that froze in February, cutting off supply to power plants, are still not required to better prepare their equipment during cold snaps.Also, measures have not been taken to reduce demand for heat, particularly in poorly insulated dwellings. Incentives in the Texas market — which has prioritized cheap electricity over reliability — are still largely in place, critics said.

But Mr. Abbott stressed that changes had been made, including the winterization of power generators. He said 99 percent had passed inspection. The state has also stored a surplus supply of power and natural gas to be used as needed.

Lucinda Holt contributed reporting from Lubbock, Texas.

— Edgar Sandoval

A large tornado forms over Alabama, threatening flying debris and destruction.

A tornado described by the National Weather Service as “large and extremely dangerous” formed near Sawyerville, Ala., south of Tuscaloosa, on Thursday, leading forecasters to urge nearby residents to take shelter.

The Weather Service received reports of damaged homes, snapped and uprooted trees, and two pickup trucks that had flipped into a pond.

A tornado watch was extended to cover the entire central band of the state. Tornado warnings were issued in several additional counties as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” warned the Weather Service, which said that the tornado was moving east. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

The Weather Service issued a warning to the Birmingham metro area over Twitter that “a storm with a history of producing tornadoes will be arriving in the next hour or two!”

A large tornado with winds reaching 150 miles per hour hit the same area last March. That tornado uprooted tens of thousands of trees, destroyed hundreds of homes and injured 13 people.

— Sophie Kasakove

Icy conditions will make travel dangerous across the Northeast on Friday.

Icy conditions could make roads hazardous across the Northeast on Friday, as rain in the region turns to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain beginning Thursday night.

Winter weather advisories are in effect across parts of the region for Friday, with up to an inch of sleet expected to accumulate in parts of northern Connecticut, southeastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. About one-fifth of an inch of ice accumulation is expected in some parts of the lower Hudson Valley, northeast New Jersey and southern Connecticut.

Up and down the Northeast, icy conditions threaten to make morning commutes treacherous.

In the New York City area, rain will change to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain late Thursday night before tapering off Friday evening, creating dangerously slick roads throughout the day.

In the Boston area, sleet in the morning followed by a “flash freeze” that will coat road surfaces in ice will pose a challenge to evening commuters as well.

“Driving for the afternoon commute could be just as dangerous as the morning commute, if not more so,” said Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston.

Farther north, in Portland, Maine, up to two inches of sleet accumulation is expected in time for the Friday morning commute.

“It’s going to be a pretty dangerous commute in the morning if the roads haven’t been treated or cleared yet,” said Sarah Thunberg, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Portland.

Continuing cold temperatures over the coming days will keep the roads icy. “That sleet is going to be a bit more difficult to clean up because were not going to get much help from warm temperatures,” Ms. Thunberg said.

Ice threatened roads and power lines in Arkansas, Kentucky and Ohio.

A “damaging ice storm” is likely to affect a region from eastern Arkansas to western Kentucky on Thursday, the National Weather Service said , with parts of Texas and Ohio also expected to see heavy ice accumulation.

Although snow can be disruptive, especially for places that do not normally contend with it, ice is considered a more serious threat. As roads become slick, crashes can injure or kill people while snarling important traffic routes. Outages often occur when trees and power lines snap under the weight of accumulating ice.

The Weather Service in Louisville, Ky., warned of “treacherous driving conditions” and said that travel would be “difficult to impossible” by late Thursday. Louisville and Frankfort could see between a quarter-inch and half-inch of ice, with even more possible in Lexington, it said.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas positioned eight National Guard units across the state in advance of the storm, which is coming days after residents in shorts and T-shirts filled grocery stores in search of winter supplies.

The Weather Service in Little Rock expects the state’s northwest, which includes Fayetteville, to receive the most snow — about six inches — but says the problematic ice buildup is projected for the central I-40 corridor .

“When it comes to ice, it’s just a completely different animal,” Dave Parker, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, told reporters.

In Middletown, Ohio, an industrial steel city between Dayton and Cincinnati, residents were warily eyeing a forecast on Wednesday that called for cold rain to change to ice and snow after dark.

Diver’s Garden and Pet Supplies, a mainstay for 130 years, has closed because of snow only twice — during the Great Blizzard of 1978 and another storm in 2008. Its customers, however, seemed to be preparing for the worst.

Aaron Diver said the business had gone through three semi-truck loads of salt and lots of bird food, a popular alternative. The ice melt and firewood were sold out.

Tom Huiet was one of the last-minute shoppers who came into Diver’s seeking salt to put on his driveway and sidewalks. He works for the city’s building inspection division but will be called on to plow roads when the storm hits.

“I am going to go home and get a nap now,” he said.

— Kevin Williams and Bret Schulte

Cities in Illinois and Michigan recorded a foot of snow in the storm’s first wave.

As several states prepare for snow and freezing rain, others were already digging out with the knowledge that another band of precipitation might make their job more difficult.

In Wichita, Kan., where the snowfall was expected to reach six inches by Thursday morning, public schools canceled classes for a second day. About a foot of snow coated the Mississippi River cities of Hannibal, Mo., and Quincy, Ill. The Chicago area appeared to take between six and 12 inches of snow in stride, and Lansing, Mich., received more than a foot.

Power outages were largely avoided along the storm’s path.

“Our goal is to have everything cleaned up this evening before the other blast comes and then wait and see,” John Whanger, who owns a landscaping and snow removal business in the St. Louis area, said on Wednesday afternoon. “I think the second wave is going to be tough.”

The St. Louis airport had received only two inches of snow by Wednesday evening, but Mr. Whanger paid for his employees to stay at a hotel overnight because an additional five to seven inches was expected, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis .

Farther west, the airport in Tulsa, Okla., recorded three inches of snow. A dusting in Albuquerque was expected to reach several inches on Thursday as much of New Mexico experienced freezing temperatures.

While the storm was expected to produce unusually large amounts of snowfall for the area, forecasters emphasized that the precipitation remained far from what would be needed to significantly alleviate drought conditions.

“It’s still so dry that we probably need more events like this one to really put any kind of dent into it,” said Scott Overbeck, the warning coordination meteorologist for the Weather Service in Albuquerque.

— Eric Berger and Simon Romero

Snow shut down parts of Cleveland last month. Residents hope to avoid more disruption.

CLEVELAND — Grocery shoppers did what grocery shoppers often do as a major snowstorm bore down on the Great Lakes: They bought a little extra, just in case.

“I’m here to get the stuff I need to make spaghetti sauce,” said Edwina Neal while waiting in a line about a dozen people deep at a supermarket in the Shaker Heights neighborhood on Wednesday evening.

“If I have to stay home for a few days, I’ll have what I need to eat,” Ms. Neal said. “But we’re used to this kind of snowfall in Cleveland.”

Although maybe not. About 3 to 6 inches fell in the area overnight, keeping many commuters off the roads and forcing schools and colleges to close or move to remote learning, and forecasters predicted that 12 to 16 total inches would fall before the day is done.

If so, that would be close to or above the city’s one-day record of 13.6 inches that fell on Feb. 23, 1999.

Still, in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb just west of Cleveland, the region seemed to be handling the snowfall just fine, with the streets clear and the stores open on Thursday morning. A mid-January snowfall of 15 inches over two days led to the suspension of mass transit, but buses and trains were operating early Thursday.

“I’m hoping they can run for this snowstorm, because a lot of us need those services to get to work,” said Ariel Hawthorne, an office cleaning worker waiting for a light rail train on Wednesday night. “We need to eat and we need to get to work, and not all of us have a car to do those things.”

— Daniel McGraw

Scenes from the storm across the U.S.

Tips for staying safe if a snowstorm catches you on the road..

In the aftermath of a major snowstorm that hit Virginia last month, safety experts have offered advice on how people can stay safe if they are stuck in their vehicles. Their top tip? Be prepared.

But first, a caveat: Check the weather forecast before hitting the road, they said. If a snowstorm is expected, it is best to stay put.

For those who venture out, here are some important safety tips .

Pack a ‘go bag’ for your car

Some important essentials to bring are food, water and a charged cellphone, said Dr. Ken Zafren, an emergency medicine professor at Stanford University.

Also helpful: parkas, blankets, sleeping bags, boots, mittens, hats, flares, medications, wipes, a shovel, a first-aid kit, a cellphone charger, an ice scraper, jumper cables and a full tank of gas.

First, do not leave your car, experts said, warning about the risks of hypothermia or becoming lost.

Instead, generate heat by turning on the car for up to 10 minutes every hour, said Dr. Steve Mitchell, a medical director at the Harborview Medical Center emergency department in Seattle.

There is only one situation in which you should step outside: if you need to check that your tail pipe is clear, to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust, experts said.

Take care of yourself.

If you have them, eat foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates, like nuts or candy bars, said Dr. Grant Lipman, the founder of the Global Outdoor Emergency Support.

If you run out of water, drink melted snow, Dr. Mitchell said. But don’t drink alcohol.

Have wipes and a bottle handy if you need to go to the bathroom, Dr. Lipman said.

While your phone may provide a needed distraction, it is important to preserve your battery so that you can make emergency calls, he said. Close your browser and any other battery-draining apps.

— Alyssa Lukpat and Christine Chung

There aren’t enough people driving snowplows.

A broad upheaval in the U.S. labor force since the pandemic began in 2020 has trickled down to the transportation sector, creating shortages of snowplow operators as well as city and school bus drivers.

“I don’t know where everybody’s gone, with Covid and everything,” said Chris Ferreira, the owner of a towing company in Chelmsford, Mass., who was trying to fill four positions for plow drivers this month. “As far as hiring help, I can’t get any, and the price of fuel has jumped up. It has gone up so tremendously it affects all the overhead.”

He added, “Right now, to get tow drivers, we have to pay more money, but we can’t charge more money.”

Snowplow drivers in the United States are usually either permanent employees in state transportation departments, state seasonal hires or tow truck drivers who also clear snow for private companies that, like Mr. Ferreira’s, have government contracts.

Snowplow hiring is “a major challenge nationwide,” because freight haulers and package-delivery companies are also vying for commercial drivers, said Kris Rietmann Abrudan, the communications director for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

“We are all competing for essentially the same group of applicants,” she said.

Cities and states are trying to adapt to the hiring challenge by raising pay, offering bonuses and training, shuffling employee shifts and putting some routes on the back burner to ease the workload.

— Christine Hauser

When you’re alpine trekking, you’re likely to encounter some glaciers that you’ll have to cross. This is definitely dangerous and can be very scary, but the risks are manageable and lots of people cross glaciers without incident.

The most important ”rules” when crossing a glacier are to have a team with experience, to be trained for handling the dangers on glaciers, to know how to crevasse rescue, to know how to safely use rope and other glacier equipment and to seriously understand the techniques and team guidelines for glacial traverse.

In this article, I’ll look at the dangers involved in glacier travel and how to cross glaciers safely and effectively.

If you are new to mountaineering and like comprehensive guides such as this one, I’d recommend you to check out the full beginner guide on mountaineering that I have written. It goes over everything from rope technique and climbing equipment to preparation tips. You can find the full guide here.

Tackling The Dangers of Glacier Traverse

Glaciers are dense masses of ice that formed over centuries. Here, snow from many seasons that never melted, have been compacted together to form this great mass of ice that moved under its own weight.

The Main Danger you face on a Glacier: Crevasses

These are deep cracks or fractures in the ice, formed by shear stresses caused by the ice’s movement and weight.  

If the glacier you’re crossing is dry, that is, not covered in snow, you can easily see them and avoid or cross as needed.

If the glacier is wet, or covered in snow, you usually can’t see them, which poses a serious danger.

Snow bridges often form across the crevasse. Sometimes people can cross these safely, while they could crumble under the weight at other times. This is weather dependent.

Another hazard: Mill Wells

This is where meltwater forms channels and chutes in the glacial ice. If you fall into one of these, you could get trapped under the glacier, where rescue is very hard or impossible.

Then there are Seracs…

These towering ice structures cause the glacier equivalent of rock slides. As they’re warmed by the sun, large chunks of ice could break off and fall down, obliterating everything in its path.

If you pass one of these, do it as quickly as you can, since it’s a ticking time bomb.

You also get actual rock falls on glaciers, where you’re traveling near a vertical rock face. Boulders could get dislodged due to the sun warming the surrounding ice, causing a rock fall, which you definitely don’t want to encounter. To avoid this, schedule travelling in such areas for early or late in the day, when the sun isn’t as hot.

Lastly, glacial streams could contain silt. This could act like quicksand, so be careful when crossing these.

And Lastly…Moraines In your way

The moraine, or messy debris part of the glacier, can be particularly challenging. Sometimes, this area contains sand and silt along with rocks, which can be very tricky to cross, even before you get to the icy part of the glacier.  

The silty part is usually slippery, making going tough. If you’re unfortunate enough to hit the glacier after an ice melt and refreeze, you’ll probably encounter mud as well.

Techniques for Glacial Traverse

The technique used for roping up will vary slightly depending on the number of people in the group.

First, we’ll focus on two people travelling together, since this is the simplest setup. Take note that it’s recommended that your rope team consists of at least three people.

You usually don’t place protection on the area where the rope is tied, so when a team member falls down a crevasse, the only thing holding him up is another team member.

If the force of the fall exceeds the weight of the other team member, or of the other team member is taken by surprise by the fall, both could end up in the crevasse.

Traversing as a Team

Two people should walk with about 10m of rope between them. To get this right, each person must tie into the opposite ends of the rope.  

Next, coil the rope over your shoulders until there’s about 10m of rope left in the middle – if you have more people in your party, you can shorten this length of rope down to 8m.

Each person should take an equal number of coils. Tie the coils off by passing a bit of rope around them. This piece of rope is secured by tying an overhand knot around the rope that leads to the other person. A loop will be left on the rope, which is then clipped into the screwgate carabiner.

Don’t leave too much Rope Slack…Or else

Keep the rope reasonably tight while walking. Here, the middle 5-6 m should glide in the snow. If you leave the rope too slack, you run the risk of stepping on it with sharp crampons, which will damage or sever the rope.

Another risk of leaving too much slack is that you will be tempted to carry the rope in your hand. In the event of a fall down a crevasse, this could lead to serious shoulder injuries.

Also never carry the coils in your hand, especially on a wet glacier. If there is too much slack in the rope, a fall would also be worse, since the person falling would gain some momentum before the fall is slowed by the rope.

This means that the next person might not be able to withstand the force and might be carried away too.

Walk the Straight line

With the same logic in mind, always walk in as straight a line as possible.

If you’re walking in a zigzag line, a fall would pull the other members of the team sideways, which diminishes the odds of them withstanding the force of the fall.

Ice Axes and Walking Sticks

Always leave one hand free to handle your ice axe.

Your ice axe should always be in the uphill hand, carried by the head with the shaft pointing downwards like a walking stick. This will enable you to self-arrest if you slip and fall, which often happens on slippery glaciers.  

Important Team Strategies you should know

It’s often a good idea to put the lightest person in front, if that person has adequate experience to pick the route that you’re travelling.

The idea is that the front person is most likely to fall down a crevasse. The lightest person would be easiest to pull back up. It’s not always the first person that breaks the ice bridge over a crevasse, though.

If your group is large, it’s a good idea to split up into multiple rope parties . A rope party shouldn’t consist of more than six or seven people , since such a large rope party would move very slowly.

Always walk perpendicularly to the direction of the crevasses. This minimizes the risk of multiple members of your team falling down a crevasse. Bear in mind that crevasses often extend much further than you can see and that they often change direction along the way.

When Not to Rope-up on a Glacier

There is one instance where it is better to go unroped: if you’re crossing hard-frozen firn with a slight incline, you’re on incredibly slippery ground. Here, if one person slips, the other people have very little chance of withstanding the fall and would probably be pulled along with them.  

If one person manages to self-arrest, the others would still be falling and would thus pull them along again.

Crevasse frequency decreases with increased steepness of the terrain, so your odd of slipping would be much higher than your odds of falling down a crevasse in this situation. So, for the safety of the whole team, it’s a better idea to go unroped under these conditions.

Written by Felix

Beginner | mountaineering.

Hi! I’m Felix. When I’m not spending time out in the mountains, I like to write about my hobbies. That is how Mountain Homies was created. On this site, I try to gather all the juicy information about Mountaineering that I have learned since I started. Happy adventures!

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‘No ice is safe ice’: DNR urges ice safety this winter

MADISON, Wis. — As temperatures continue to fluctuate from extreme highs to extreme lows, ice conditions remain unpredictable on Wisconsin waterways.

“Temperature swings, strong winds, currents, underground springs feeding lakes and rivers vary widely across Wisconsin,” said Major April Dombrowski, Department of Natural Resources recreational safety and outdoor skills section chief. “These factors are why no ice is ever considered safe, especially not this early in the season.”

Wisconsin rescue crews this year have already responded to several incidents statewide of people falling through ice. The DNR said these incidents serve as a reminder of that waterways are thin, weak and potentially life-threatening in the early season.

But even if conditions seem ideal for ice, the DNR said it’s best to assume that “no ice is safe ice” and to remain cautious as you venture out.

Here are some other things to keep in mind.

Check ice status

While the DNR doesn’t monitor ice conditions, there are other ways to find that information.

If you’re planning to use an ice-covered body of water, you can check the status of ice conditions by contacting local fishing clubs, bait shops or outfitters.

“These places routinely check ice conditions and can give you the best and most current conditions,” said Dombrowski. “If you can plan your outing without any travel over ice, do it. And if you are going to be on some ice, let someone know your plans and follow them.”

Be aware of varying water-body conditions

Each body of water can have its own characteristics. Before going out, check to see whether the lake has any inlets or outlets. Some lakes’ narrows are spring-fed while others have currents like rivers, which both cause thin ice.

You’ll also want to stay alert for any pressure ridges or ice heaves, which can be dangerous due to think ice or water openings. These formations are created or can move and grow with changes in temperatures and high winds. They can even happen on Wisconsin’s largest lake, Lake Winnebago.

Winds can create icebergs

The DNR warned anyone using the Bay of Green Bay this winter to be cautious. Spanning about 120 miles long and 10 to 20 miles wide, the Bay contains navigation channels that serve as ship highways.

That huge body of water can completely freeze over, according to DNR Marine Warden Team Supervisor Lt. Ryan Propson. Therefore, users of the channel should be pay extra attention to weather conditions and be knowledge about maintenance of the channel. Going in without these tools could lead to a person becoming stranded on free-floating icebergs.

These icebergs are formed when high wind creates waves under the ice, causing the ice to crack and break off. Cracks can also occur due to temperature changes.

General ice safety tips

In addition to preparing yourself for conditions before going out on the ice, you may also want to carry a few important things with you.

The DNR suggests carrying a cell phone and letting people know where you’re going and when you’ll return home. You may also want a spud bar, which can help you check the ice while you’re walking to new areas. Easily accessible spikes and a light rope can also help in case of emergency; both items can help with pulling yourself or others out of the ice.

Wearing a life jacket or a float coat is also recommended, as it can help you stay afloat or maintain body heat if you fall in.

Attaching ice creepers to your boots can also prevent slipping on clear ice.

However, if you do fall in the ice, remain as call as possible. Try calling for help as you attempt to get out. If someone attempts to rescue you, they should use a rope or something like it to avoid falling in themselves.

The DNR also urged people to not travel into unfamiliar areas or at night.

You can find more safety information on the DNR website .

LATEST NEWS

TRAVEL ON ICE Crossword clue

Crossword answers for travel on ice, top answers for: travel on ice, travel on ice crossword puzzle solutions.

2 Solutions - 0 Top suggestions & 2 further suggestions. We have 2 solutions for the frequently searched for crossword lexicon term TRAVEL ON ICE. Furthermore and additionally we have 2 Further solutions for this paraphrase.

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• travel over

verb as in traverse

Strongest matches

• criss-cross
• pass through

Strong matches

Weak matches

• perambulate
• peregrinate

Discover More

Example sentences.

Since it could now survive travel over longer distances, lobster became a decadent treat for the American upper class.

From Christiansand he intended to travel over Soetersdal, and at Christmas he expected to reach his native place.

Greatest Shear when concentrated Loads travel over the Bridge.

You can travel over the moor to Greyrigg station, take the 4:30 train from there and I can meet you at Edinburgh.

Many smaller boats are carried, and light sledges with dog teams, in case it becomes necessary to travel over the ice.

Particularly fitted for the Perusal of such as desire to travel over the Island.

Related Words

Words related to travel over are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word travel over . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in pass or move over, along, or through

verb as in cross over; travel

On this page you'll find 19 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to travel over, such as: criss-cross, cross, cut across, pass through, roam, and span.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Sailors seek thrills in freezing temperatures sailing iceboats across frozen lakes

Looking similar to a sailboat, these winter rides travel over the ice at high speeds. No motor, no keel, no inhibitions.

The art of ice boating is a tradition that has been around since the 1600s when old sailboats would be fitted with blades to help ship goods across the frozen canals of the Netherlands.

Now the sport is a largely recreational undertaking that draws a small, tight-knit group of enthusiasts onto frozen water bodies each year when winds are gusting and bare ice turns lakes into a venue for what seems like an unlikely endeavor — winter sailing.

There are multiple ice yacht clubs across Michigan, including the Detroit Ice Yacht Club, West Michigan Ice Yacht Club and Gull Lake Ice Yacht Club. The Gull Lake Club has an 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 event Iceboats on the Bay in Richland, near Battle Creek.

There is Facebook group called Iceboating in Michigan and Ohio  for those interested in the sport, featuring posts ice conditions, upcoming events and places where people use boats.

Ice boating is said to have been introduced to North America in the late 18th century when a crude ice boat was taken onto the Hudson River in New York by Dutch settlers.

Among the more popular iceboats are the DN, the largest iceboat class. It''s name comes from a 1937 Detroit News-sponsored design contest to come up with a design for an affordable, home buildable iceboat to provide winter entertainment during the depression.

An ice boat works similarly to a sailboat minus the comfort and leisurely speeds on a lake during summer months. The boat's sharp runners prevent the thin-wooded crafts from sliding sideways, acting as a keel by reducing drift and keeping the boat going in the intended direction.

To get an iceboat going you simply put one foot on the rear plank and start pushing as if you are a dog-sled musher. With a gust of wind, you are off for a ride whose speed and duration depends largely on what Mother Nature has to offer on any given day.

More: Cops, community take dip into freezing water to raise $100,000 for Special Olympics

More: Chilly Plymouth Ice Festival draws visitors from near and far

Three dead, nearly 2,000 flights canceled as ice storm sweeps the South

A strong ice storm that has swept across parts of the South has been blamed for three deaths on roads and has contributed to nearly 2,000 flight cancellations, officials said Tuesday.

By early evening, the storm spread from the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area to Memphis, Tennessee, with officials in both cities urging motorists to stay put through Thursday, if possible, when the front exits.

Three deaths have been attributed to the storm.

A 45-year-old man was ejected from the 1997 Toyota 4Runner he was driving after he apparently lost control on an ice-covered overpass in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, police said. He died at a hospital.

On Monday night, a 49-year-old woman was killed when the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado she was driving struck a tree near Eldorado, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The woman, identified as Sherry Lynn Taylor, lost control of the truck on icy roads and skidded, the department said.

In Austin, one person was dead after a weather-related multiple vehicle collision, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.

“Pretty much all of the collisions that we are responding to right now are weather-related,” an Emergency Medical Services spokesperson said. “Basically, all of the elevated roadways and overpasses in the Austin and Travis County area are iced over.”

Dallas-Fort Worth set a daily record for snow accumulation Tuesday, with 1.3 inches of precipitation measured near the metropolis' main airport. The agency said the record was achieved by sleet, not snow, and maintained that counts as besting the 1.2 inches of snow measured Jan. 31, 1985.

The weather made air travel a slog.

National carriers based in the region posted cancellation numbers in the hundreds, with American Airlines racking up 591 for flights connected to its base of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Southwest Airlines canceling 287 related to its base of Dallas Love Field, according to the online flight tracker FlightAware.  

A total of 1,035 cancellations were reported among flights arriving at or departing from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to the tracker . Nationwide, 1,961 domestic and international flights had been canceled by evening, its figures show.

The Federal Aviation Administration warned that freezing rain and ice may continue to slow flights at the Dallas-Fort Worth and Memphis airports.

As temperatures hovered in the 20s in parts of the state Tuesday evening, about 23,000 utility customers in Texas were without power, according to the energy grid tracker  PowerOutage.us .

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at a news conference that while some local outages are expected, there won’t be major issues with the power grid.

'Prolonged and significant' ice storm

The ice storm was expected to be "prolonged and significant" and to "continue impacting a large area from the southern Plains to the Tennessee Valley," according to the National Weather Service.

It said the "dangerous" ice storm is expected to continue into at least early Thursday, bringing cold air, freezing rain and sleet, along with travel chaos and delays.

"Widespread total ice accretion of greater than 0.25" is likely from West Texas to western Tennessee, with localized areas receiving as much as 0.75 inches, the weather service said. That amount of ice, it warned, could lead to hazardous travel conditions, along with tree damage and scattered power outages, across the hardest-hit regions.

Sleet accumulations around a half-inch or higher are also possible from West Texas to Arkansas, which the weather service said could lead to "treacherous" travel conditions.

"Patchy areas of sleet and freezing drizzle continue to move through North and Central Texas this afternoon," the weather service's office in Fort Worth tweeted Tuesday evening. "It is advised to stay off the roads during this event as conditions worsen."

The National Weather Service office that covers the Memphis area reported that "a thick glaze of ice" had covered both streets and vegetation in Bartlett, Tennessee, on Tuesday afternoon.

Ice storm warnings, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued in affected areas, it said, warning travelers to check road conditions before they head out anywhere and to drive with extreme caution.

Hundreds of roads affected

Abbott said Tuesday that central, east and southeast Texas could even get flash flooding Wednesday and Thursday.

Abbott urged residents to avoid the roads because of the hazardous icing, adding that about 1,600 roads in the state have been affected.

"Because of the icing, many roads in Texas will remain very dangerous for the next 24 to 48 hours," he said. "Be cautious, especially for things like black ice."

In Fort Worth, the ambulance service MedStar responded to 151 motor vehicle crashes within 34 hours of the winter storm, spokesperson Matt Zavadsky said. Nineteen of the crashes were rollovers.

MedStar also responded to 13 patients with hypothermia. Twelve patients were taken to local hospitals with seven in serious condition. It also reported that 11 patients were injured slipping on ice.

Storm expected to head northeast

The storm moved in from the Pacific over the weekend and is headed in a northeastern direction, federal forecasters said. On Tuesday it produced a line of ice-cold precipitation and freeze warnings from West Texas to West Virginia.

A third round of icy precipitation was expected Wednesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Ryan said.

By Thursday, it is expected to affect northwest Georgia, federal forecasters said.

The front has drawn arctic air from the north, which is helping it produce steady sleet and freezing rain. Temperatures were steady, too, as cloud cover insulated the weather at night.

Temperatures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were expected to remain near their 20s daytime numbers, Ryan said.

“We’re having moisture from the arctic lifted over the shallow air mass and precipitating as this sleet and freezing rain mix,” he said.

Chantal Da Silva reports on world news for NBC News Digital and is based in London.

Breaking news reporter

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

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The 22 Best Travel Coolers and Ice Packs [Hard and Soft Options]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

Why buy a travel cooler, things to consider with travel coolers, soft vs. hard coolers, how to pack your cooler, the 10 best hard travel coolers, the 8 best soft travel coolers, things to consider with cooler ice packs, the 4 best cooler ice packs, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you are heading out on a road trip, a travel cooler will keep your food and drinks chilled along the way. Whether you choose a basic model that will keep your lunch cool or a cooler that’s big enough to get the party started, mobile refrigeration is the way forward for great days out and long nights spent under the stars.

Being able to keep your food cold, and therefore safe to eat, on the go is the biggest benefit to buying a travel cooler, but there are other great reasons to consider getting one, too:

• Upgrading from a traditional insulated picnic basket or lunch pack will reduce the risk of you having to deal with messy containers , melted ice packs, and other inconveniences along the way.
• Never buy ice again — simply make your own and take it with you instead. A good quality cooler will help you chill enough drinks and snacks to keep all the family well-fed and refreshed when the temperature rises.
• Save money by stocking up on snacks when you leave home. This also helps with special dietary requirements, calorie counting, or other preferences you may have as you will know exactly what is in your food at all times.
• As an additional bonus, your new travel cooler can also be used to keep medicines cool , meaning that your insulin or other temperature-controlled medication won’t be at risk on the road.

The capacity of a cooler is often measured by the number of drink cans it can hold, as well as the extra ice needed to keep them cool. The internal capacity is, in many ways, much more important than the exterior dimensions, unless you have a very specific space to fill while transporting your cooler.

Smaller personal coolers may only have the capacity to hold between 6 to 8 cans, while huge party coolers can hold 50, 60, or sometimes more, plus ice. Keep in mind that the number of cans they can hold often relates to cans packed tightly together, and if you max out on beverages, you may not have the extra space needed to carry snacks or other essentials.

Hot Tip: Remember that the volume of the storage size can relate to both the insulated and non-insulated areas of the cooler, meaning that 50 quarts of storage may not mean that the entire internal space is available to be used for cooled items.

Depending on your budget and individual requirements, there are different types of insulation that will keep your food and drinks cool on the go. The 2 main types are:

• Polystyrene — The most effective insulation that money can buy, this cheap, plastic lightweight material is very bad at transferring heat, meaning that your gear stays cooler for longer. As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the walls of polystyrene are, the better the insulation will be. This kind of insulation can keep stuff cold for days on end, making high-end hard coolers more suitable for trips away and longer stays.
• Foam — Usually found in soft-sided coolers, a foam lining can work well if you need to chill your items for just a few hours at a time. Perfect for lunch packs and days out, foam is effective for short-term chilling, but not as effective as the far superior polystyrene.

Portability

It goes without saying that hard coolers will be heavier to carry and bulkier to store than their soft-sided counterparts. Many of the larger coolers on the market will come with superstrong handles, often on both sides, making them easier to carry as a team effort.

With smaller coolers and soft-sided models, portability is easier as they come complete with shoulder straps, backpack straps, or grab handles, and their lightweight design means that they can be easily transported, even when full.

Materials and Durability

Rotomolded hard coolers are incredibly sought after by those who like to enjoy a bit of camping, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Made to be virtually indestructible, these types of coolers can last for many years and easily cope with the bumps and knocks of constant traveling.

Soft coolers, on the other hand, don’t need to be quite as indestructible, but should still offer tear-proof, waterproof exteriors, as well as washable and leakproof interiors that feature FDA-approved lining material.

Some of the coolers on our list come with delightfully useful additional features that you may never even know you needed. These could include clip-on tables that transform your cooler into an instant bar, handy little cup holders, lids that double up as seating areas, and even fish-measuring rulers for all you anglers out there.

Some of the bigger travel cooler brands offer extended warranties with their coolers. Expensive to buy and often manufactured using the very best materials, it is a safe bet that these types of coolers will last many years if used respectfully. As a rough guide:

• Coleman  — up to 6 years, depending on the exact model purchased
• Igloo — 1- to 5-year warranty, depending on the exact model purchased
• ORCA — 5 years from the date of purchase
• RovR — 1- to 5-year warranty, depending on the model purchased
• YETI — 3- to 5-year warranty, depending on the model purchased

With the soft alternatives, most will offer a warranty of around 12 months only.

Hot Tip: Ensure that your cooler purchase is protected from theft, damage, or accidental loss with coverage provided by the best credit cards for purchase protection . If getting the most out of your warranty is important to you, check out the best credit cards for extended warranty coverage .

Soft Coolers

A soft-sided cooler is perfect for keeping your beverages chilled and will be able to hold enough for all of the family, without weighing you down. Unlike a regular soft-sided lunch bag, many modern-day coolers are “super” coolers with the ability to keep your food and drink much cooler for far longer.

Often insulated using high-density foam, soft-sided coolers are also incredibly portable and can be carried using a shoulder strap or even worn like a backpack. With a fabric or vinyl exterior and a lined interior, they are also easy to wipe clean or wash when needed. More expensive models come with thermally-efficient zippers to keep the cool in.

Although most soft-sided coolers may have a smaller capacity than their hard-sided counterparts, they are lightweight and easy to use daily.

Bottom Line: Soft-sided coolers can collapse down and fold up, making them easy to keep at home or in the car when not in use.

Hard Coolers

By contrast, hard-sided coolers have increased capacity and the ability to keep a wide range of food and drink cool and safely contained on the go. With additional features including freezer-grade lids, easy-to-clean interiors, and drains to quickly empty melted ice, these types of coolers are designed for more hardcore adventures and really thirsty adventurers.

Hard-sided coolers also offer better ice retention and are usually made from hard, rotomolded plastic, making them incredibly resistant to bumps and knocks along the way. While the increased capacity is also useful, the downside to these types of coolers is obviously the weight and restrictions in portability.

Bottom Line: You will need to carry your hard cooler in your car or another vehicle. If you are going all out for a group activity or celebration, you may need 2 people to carry it or even consider one that has its very own wheels.

To make the most of your new cooler, you will need to know how to load it properly. Here are some top tips to maximizing the efficiency of your cooler:

Pre-Cool Your Cooler

It goes without saying that a warm or room temperature cooler will be less efficient than a cold one. If you are using a hard cooler, fill it with ice the night before you plan to pack it.

Pre-Chill Your Contents

It is much more efficient to try and keep cold or frozen contents chilled than it is to cool room temperature ones. With this in mind, refrigerate or freeze your items before you pack them .

Add More Ice

The preferred ice-to-contents ratio is 2:1 , so anticipate that you will need more ice than you originally thought you would. Sprinkling a bit of ice on the top of the cooler will not keep your items cold, so add more.

Also, not all ice is equal. The ice from your refrigerator, for example, is not as cold as ice from a commercial ice maker. Dry ice mixed with regular cubed ice is the very best combination, if you can buy it.

Avoid air gaps by filling your cooler to capacity where possible. If you run out of food and drink items, use more ice instead, or fill the space with towels or paper to prevent the melting process from speeding up.

Whether you opt for a hard party cooler or a single soft lunch pack, there are really effective, affordable, and super “cool” travel coolers out there for you to choose from.

1. Great Storage Space Options and Hardwearing

Arctic zone titan deep freeze zipperless hardbody cooler.

Dimensions: 12.75 x 11 x 16.5 inches

Weight: 3.7 pounds

Large enough to hold 30 cans with ease, this incredibly useful travel cooler also comes in 9-, 16-, and 48-can capacities to suit every situation. Made from Rhino-Tech exterior material that is tough, water- and stain-resistant, and easy to wipe clean, this particular model is also designed to be abrasion- and puncture-resistant to withstand almost any adventure.

The interior will keep your beverages cool with deep-freeze high-performance insulation that features a radiant heat barrier and a removable HardBody liner with SmartShelf. The lining is waterproof and incredibly leakproof, and the patented “flip-open” zipperless lid makes it super easy to access your food and drinks at all times.

For added convenience, this little cooler also has a zippered accessory pocket that works well for keeping your napkins and cutlery or even your cell phone. It also has padded shoulder straps that make it comfy to carry over long distances.

What We Like

• Zipperless lid for quick access

What We Don’t Like

• Gets condensation on the outside

2. Retro-chic and Perfect Cooling, With an 85-can Capacity

Coleman cooler | steel-belted cooler.

Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 17 inches

Weight: 2.25 pounds

A modern take on a classic design, the Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler is as iconic now as when it was first released back in 1954. Offering an incredible 85-can capacity, this supercool cooler is also tall enough to hold a 2-liter bottle upright, making it much more spacious than many of its competitors.

Useful modern-day features include comfort-grip steel handles and a stainless steel latch. It also has a leak-resistant channel drain, which means you don’t have to tilt the cooler to drain excess water.

Offering 4-day ice retention at temperatures up to 90 degrees , as well as low CO₂ insulation for reduced carbon emissions from foam manufacturing, this is an intelligent choice for adventurers who want to keep their beverages cool while remaining eco-friendly.

Finally, the Have-A-Seat lid can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, making this an ideal cooler for campouts, picnics, tailgate parties, and so much more.

• Has a channel drain to easily empty water
• Exterior dents easily

3. Best for “Xtreme” Adventures on Any Terrain

Coleman rolling cooler | 50 quart xtreme 5 day cooler.

Dimensions: 22.6 x 17.6 x 17.7 inches

Weight: 14.15 pounds

This high-capacity cooler can hold up to 84 cans and keep them cool for a really long time. From beaches to ball games and everything in between, the Coleman Rolling Cooler comes complete with heavy-duty wheels that can handle almost any terrain , and the tall telescoping handle makes it easy to pull, even when it is completely full.

With a wipe-clean interior and an EZ-Clean lid, this cooler is incredibly hygienic, and the insulated lid and extra wall insulation can keep ice frozen for up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90 degrees. For impromptu parties or picnics on the go, the Have-a-Seat Lid can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, and there are even super-useful drink cup holders molded into the lid to prevent them from spilling.

• Can be easily wheeled around
• The telescopic handle could be longer

4. Best for Big Parties or Large Families

Igloo polar cooler.

Dimensions: 38.2 x 17.3 x 17.7 inches

Weight: 19.9 pounds

This monster of a travel cooler is one of the biggest and best on the market, with a whopping 188-can capacity. Perfect for use as an ice chest for parties, family gatherings, and other big occasions, the Igloo brand is known for its superior quality and incredible cooling capabilities.

Made with Ultratherm insulation, this model can keep ice frozen for up to 5 days, and the threaded drain plug enables an easy hose connection for draining. The 2 snap-fit latches keep the cooler box lid completely airtight and secure, and the lid can also be used as a seat.

While this baby is on the heavier side when it comes to carrying, it does have reinforced handles that you and a friend can use to lift, load, and carry.

• Stores a lot and stays cold for days
• Front latches are not that durable

5. Best for Anglers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Igloo bmx 25 quart cooler with cool riser technology.

Dimensions: 19.6 x 15.7 x 13.2 inches

Weight: 10.34 pounds

If you are looking for a heavy-duty cool box, they don’t come with much heavier duty than this. Offering a whopping 49 liters of cool space, and looking awesome with reinforced blow-molded construction and steel kick plates, this cooler will see you through the toughest of environments.

With extra-thick Ultratherm insulated walls and Igloo CoolRiser technology, this beauty can retain ice for up to 5 days, and the superstrong blow-molded construction makes it a popular choice for outdoor adventurers, especially anglers and fishermen.

With rubber skid pads for extra shock resistance, durable T-latches, steel-enforced swing-up rubber grip handles, and even a fish-measuring ruler molded into the lid, this is a big cooler that is just right for taking with you for a few days away at the lake, by the ocean, or even out on a boat.

• Has tie-down loops to be secured when transporting
• No drainage spout

6. Best for Compact Cooling on the Go

Yeti roadie 24 cooler.

Dimensions: 17.1 x 14.3 x 18 inches

Weight: 12 pounds

The YETI Roadie is a compact but incredibly capable member of the YETI range. It can hold up to 18 cans and keep them ice-cold on the go. With 2 inches of legendary PermaFrost insulation, the ice stays cold, even in the hottest of weather, and the extra-thick FatWall design will protect your snacks and beverages from hungry bears and anything else the outdoors throws at it.

The rotomolded construction gives the cooler its very own suit of armor . The additional features, such as the interlocking hinge system, ensure that this compact cooler is built to last you through many trips, and the quick latches are quick and easy to open, even one-handed. Parties, picnics, campouts, boat trips, hunting, fishing, and a whole lot more will be even better with a YETI.

• Available in a range of colors
• Quite expensive for a cooler

7. A Top Contender by Pelican

Pelican elite 30 quart cooler.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 19 x 18.5 inches

Weight: 21.67 pounds

Offering extreme ice retention, this 30-quart cooler can keep your food and drinks colder for longer. With 2 inches of polyurethane insulation and a 360-degree freezer-grade gasket, this cooler delivers on long journeys and raised temperatures.

With an over-molded carry handle, 3-inch locking latches, reinforced lockable clasp, stainless steel bottle opener, anti-shear hinge system, and molded-in tie-down slots, this cooler offers a lot of features for active adventurers.

The 4 self-draining cup holders keep it easy to clean, and the non-skid rubber feet mean you can take it virtually anywhere. With a 23-can capacity, you and your friends and family can stay hydrated and cool on any trip.

• Sturdy latches for secure closure
• No wheels for easy transportation

8. Best for Family Fun and Flexible Capacity

Orca bw0260orcorca cooler in white.

Dimensions: 24.49 x 19.02 x 15.51 inches

Weight: 25 pounds

This is a great family-size cooler, perfect for road trips, campouts, and all kinds of outdoor adventures. Made from rotomolded materials, it is perfect for keeping your food and drink cold with ice for up to 10 days in a row. 

With integrated insulation and a wipe-clean interior, you can keep this durable ice trunk clean and hygienic on the move. The lid gasket ensures a perfect seal to prevent the chill from sneaking out, and the extendable flex-grip handles make it easy to carry with you to your picnic spot.

There is also a cargo net attachment for added storage and an easy-flow drainage spout to help drain away defrosted ice and water after use. This particular model is also available in 20-, 40-, 58-, 75-, and 140-quart capacity units, so you’re covered for whatever size you need.

• Keeps food and drink cool for up to 10 days
• A bit on the small side

9. Best for Rolling Over Rough Terrain

Rovr wheeled camping rolling cooler.

Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 22 inches

Weight: 44 pounds

This heavy-duty rolling cool box is made from top-quality materials and offers an impressive 7- to 10-day cooling capacity. Designed to travel anywhere with you, you can pull your drinks behind you over almost any terrain on the high-performance, 9-inch, puncture-resistant tires.

The rotomolded, elevated body keeps cool with the help of the airtight gasket and thick foam insulation that comes standard with this model. The removable Deepfreeze dry bin sits at the coolest part of the chest and is perfect for keeping meats, veggies, and large bottles separated and below FDA food-safe temperatures for as many as 10 days.

With more than enough space to hold up to 60 cans and 10 pounds of ice, the impressive cooling capabilities combined with excellent design features make this award-winning cooler one of the best for extreme adventurers a long way from home.

• Puncture-resistant tires for rolling over any terrain
• Prepping board attachment is sold separately

10. So Tough It’s Even Bear-resistant

The yeti tundra 45.

Dimensions: 26 x 15.5 x 16 inches

Weight: 18 pounds

Combining the versatility, durability, and delicious design that YETI is so famous for, the Tundra 45 is a rotomolded cooler that is infused with 2 inches of YETI’s patented PermaFrost Insulation. This means that it will keep all the contents of your cooler ice-cold, even on the hottest of days.

With space for up to 26 cans, this is a manageable size cooler for taking out on the road with you. Marine-grade polyester rope handles with textured grips make it easy to carry, and the T-Rex heavy-duty rubber lid latches will keep your food protected from the elements while out on the road.

For super-exciting adventures, this cooler even has an extra-thick FatWall design that makes it certified bear-resistant ! Offering virtually indestructible cooling, the Tundra range from YETI comes in a variety of other sizes and capacities, too.

• Keeps food cool and safe from animals
• Pretty heavy when empty

1. Best for Carrying Extra Accessories With You

Coleman 16-can soft cooler with removable liner.

Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 6.7 inches

Weight: 1 pound

Perfect for taking with you to picnics, BBQs, campouts, sporting events, tailgates, and much more, this soft yet durable cooler can hold up to 16 cans for all to share. With extra storage space in the front zippered pocket, the side mesh pockets, and the separate mesh pocket in the lid, you can sneak in extra snacks, cups, and cutlery, too. There are even bungees on the lid for stowing even more extras!

The FDA-approved lining material is safe for food contact. This liner can be removed for easy cleaning between uses and provides antimicrobial protection to resist odors, mold, and mildew. Lightweight and portable, this compact cooler is perfect for a large lunch for 2 or a round of drinks to share with friends.

• Has an easy-to-clean interior lining
• No short handle to grab

2. Great Option for Beach Trips

Clevermade collapsible cooler bag: insulated leakproof 50 can  .

Dimensions: 18.2 x 12.2 x 12 inches

Weight: 2 pounds

Offering better insulation and more snack space than the average lunch pack, this snap basket cooler can hold up to 50 drink cans and ice, too. Perfect for use on the beach, at a picnic, or even on a campout or sporting event, this is a good-sized, incredibly portable soft-sided cooler that is more stylish than the average ice pack.

With a patented snap hinge on both sides of the cooler, you are guaranteed structured support when the tote is open , yet still offered compact storage when you fold it flat.

Versatile and perfect for plenty of uses, including trips to the market to keep your groceries cool on the way home, this is a good-size cooler that won’t eat into your trunk space. It looks stylish and a little bit different from the average cooler.

• Collapsible when not in use
• No shoulder strap for carrying

3. Looks Just Like a Regular Backpack

Coleman c003 soft backpack cooler.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.3 x 19.3 inches

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Offering a flexible plastic inner liner that has been treated with antimicrobials to prevent the forming of mold, mildew, and odors, this little backpack cooler will keep your food and drinks cool and hygienic on the go.

Spacious enough to hold up to 28 cans, this backpack has multiple pockets for you to stash your snacks and gear, as well as a bungee cord on the front that provides quick access to other items. In the main compartment, the BPA- and phthalate-free, heat-welded design makes this backpack perfect for use with ice on the go.

Easy to clean between uses, this portable cooler has comfortable padded straps and can be worn just as easily as any other backpack, even when full.

• The inner lining is not that durable
• Backpack straps are too wide for smaller people

4. Best for Commuters and Short Trips for 1

Mojecto large cooler bag.

Dimensions: 9 x 15 x 12 inches

Weight: 2 pounds

Compact, but incredibly useful, this soft-sided cooler is more spacious than a regular lunch box, with the added benefit of offering superior chilling capabilities. Head on out to the beach or join friends for a picnic with enough food and drink. Made from a twisted poly fabric with a PVC-free PEVA liner , this is a great little bag for keeping your snacks and drinks cool.

The multi-compartment design has a removable shoulder strap and a rear pass-thru pocket. There is a dry top compartment that will keep your non-perishable items safe and dry, while the insulated bottom cooler compartment will keep your food and beverages completely cool. There is also an elasticized mesh pocket, 3 front zipper pockets, and drop-bottom water bottle carriers.

• Lots of pockets for small items
• Zippers are a bit fragile

5. Best for Hiking and Backpacking

Tourit cooler 30 can backpack.

Dimensions: 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches

Weight: 1.1 pounds

The perfect cooler to take on your next hiking trip, this sleek-looking backpack can keep up to 30 cans cool. Compact and discreet enough to be used as a lunch pack for your daily commute, while also being sizable enough to take on days out with friends and family, this is an affordable and practical alternative to a hard-sided travel cooler.

High-quality thickened PEVA hot-pressed material will keep your snacks and drinks cool for up to 16 hours (with freeze packs), while the inner insulation thickening foam and lining will prevent leaks and spillages.

The backpacks also come with ventilated material on the back to prevent your clothes from getting wet from condensation , and the padded, adjustable straps are comfortable to carry. As well as the good-size main compartment, there are also 2 front zippered pockets, 2 bottle holders, and a mesh pocket on the strap to keep your phone safe.

• Great for picnics with compartments for plates and cutlery
• Can leak if used with ice

6. Best for Every Occasion

Yeti hopper flip portable cooler.

Dimensions: 15.3 x 10.2 x 12.6 inches

Weight: 5.1 pounds

The soft-sided personal cooler is brought to you by the experts at YETI and is built to its usual rigorous standards with the same keen design elements. With YETI’s patented Dryhide Shell, the high-density fabric is waterproof and resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays . On the inside, the FDA-approved food-grade material will keep your food hygienic and safe.

The closed-cell rubber foam offers excellent cold-holding capabilities, and the Hydrolok zipper is one of the toughest leakproof cooler zippers in the world.

With a wide-mouth opening for easy loading and access, this compact cooler is far superior to a regular cool bag, and the Hopper is the perfect companion for going off-road, off-grid, and a million other places in between. Lightweight, portable, and with extreme insulation, this is an impressive travel cooler.

• Large lid opening for easy access to items
• The zipper is a little rigid

7. Best for YETI Lovers Who Want to Try a Backpack

Yeti hopper backflip 24 soft-sided backpack cooler.

Dimensions: 13 × 19 × 8.5 inches

Weight: 5.3 pounds

Beautifully designed to function as both a personal cooler and a practical backpack, this cooler combines the very best elements of the very popular Hopper with convenient design traits.

Being taller and slightly wider than the square box version, the BackFlip has been carefully designed to efficiently distribute the weight of your wares on your back . It also comes with a removable chest strap and waist belt for additional comfort and a customized fit.

As with the rest of the Hopper range, this cooler offers superior cold-holding and comes complete with the patented Hydrolok leakproof zipper and the tough DryHide Shell. With more than enough space to fit a full day’s worth of food and drinks for you and your crew, this bag is part cooler, part rucksack, and every bit as awesome as the rest of the YETI Hopper range.

• Waist and chest strap for easy carrying
• Doesn’t stay as cold as other Yeti coolers

8. Best for Parties on the Go

Personal cooler with speakers.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 13.8 x 15 inches

Weight: 1.7 pounds

Combine the very best of both worlds as you enjoy an ice-cold beverage while listening to your favorite tunes, even out on the road. Offering something a little different, this quirky cooler works on all devices, including iPhones, Android phones, iPads, and other tablets, and uses Bluetooth to connect with your media. However, there is an optional 3.5-millimeter jack included, too.

With a rechargeable speaker battery that lasts around 8 hours , you can enjoy cold food and drinks while turning up the tunes to get the party started. You can play music from your own playlist or through any radio station, and the speaker sound quality is pretty darn awesome.

When it comes to cooling, the water-resistant material and top-loading design make this a very practical, portable, and great fun alternative to traditional personal coolers.

• Built-in power bank and speakers
• No grab handle

Ice packs are lightweight, convenient, easy to use, and perfect for keeping your food and snacks cool.

While all ice packs are pretty much designed to do the same thing, there are a few differences in the way in which they keep your food cold.

Water-Based Ice Packs

Some icepacks contain water mixed with propylene glycol, thickening agents, silica gel, and a non-toxic coloring. This heady mix of liquids has been specially blended to allow for faster freezing and slower melting to keep your perishables icy cold for longer.

Gel-Based Ice Packs

Filled with easy-to-freeze gel, these types of cooling packs are covered in heavy-duty, puncture-proof plastic that won’t leak, even in extreme temperatures.

Flexible and easy to mold to the shape of your lunch bag or backpack, these types of ice packs take up very little room in your freezer and can provide many hours of icy-cold freshness for your food and drinks.

The very best ice packs can be used time and time again and can be wiped clean between uses. Both hard, solid ice packs and flexible gel packs can be frozen and refrozen time and time again.

Freeze Time

Most ice packs will need between 2 to 6 hours to become fully frozen . If you pop your ice pack in the freezer overnight, it should be frozen solid for your daytime adventures. While certain types of ice packs may freeze quicker than others, your ice pack will need to be fully frozen to allow for a slower release to keep your perishables cold on the go.

The specially formulated fillings in both gel and water ice packs are both designed to stay colder for longer than regular ice would. Most packs can stay frozen for an impressive 24 to 36 hours in an insulated cooler container and work best when paired with thermally-insulated coolers.

Ice packs used in an environment that aren’t fully sealed and insulated (like a lunch pack, for example) may only stay cold for between 6 to 8 hours, and ice packs left out in the open may only be effective for as little as 3 or 4 hours at a time.

1. Long-lasting Ice Packs for Everyday Use

Cooler shock reusable ice pack.

These brilliant little ice packs can freeze to a super chilly 18 degrees, and they have been designed to keep your drinks and snacks cool for up to 48 hours at a time . Easy to use, you only need to fill the pack with water, shake, and freeze until solid, then pack them in your lunch bag, cooler, or other type of food storage container.

The compact dimensions and slim design offer incredible cooling without the need for bulky ice cubes and messy leaks. The flexible design of these super useful, little ice packs means that they can even be used to help soothe pain from injury.

• Excellent value for money
• They freeze into odd shapes

2. Hardshell Ice Pack for Use With Coolers

Yeti ice refreezable reusable cooler ice pack.

Keep your perishable items cooler for longer with this solid ice pack from the cooling giants at YETI. Made from the same puncture-resistant DryHide fabric as its famous Hopper cooler, this cooling pack is also resistant to breaks and falls along the way.

The custom shape helps to reduce freezing time, and with 1-, 2- and 4-pound sizes available , this excellent range of reusable ice packs can be used in everything from your Hopper Flip 12 to your Tundra 350.

Designed to be frozen at home before you leave, this brilliant solid ice pack has been designed to keep your food and drinks supercool for many hours at a time.

• Stays cold for up to 48 hours
• Bulkier than soft-sided gel packs

3. Slimline Coolers for Everyday Snack Packing

Tourit long lasting ice packs.

Available in a choice of 4-, 8-, or 12-packs in a selection of colors, these supercool, slimline gel packs are designed to keep your cooler bag or backpack icy cold for longer.

The powerful freezing gel has been formulated to stay colder for far longer than regular water can, and once fully frozen, they will stay that way for many hours at a time. The long thin design can be neatly fitted into lunch backs and backpacks , and these supercute ice packs are perfect for use at home, school, in the office, and on days out, too.

• Easy to fit in any type of bag or cooler
• Can be prone to leaks

4. Super-slim Little Ice Packs

Original Cool Packs

This set of 4 slim and reusable hard gel ice packs has been designed to keep your cool bag feeling colder for longer. Perfect for use in lunchboxes, breast milk containers, and regular coolers, these ice packs measure 7 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches, making them compact enough to take anywhere with you.

Despite their super-small dimensions, they are still plenty powerful enough to keep your items cool, and made from 100% non-toxic and BPA-free materials , they are safe to use with your food.

These handy little ice packs are perfect for everyday use at home, at school, on vacation, and anywhere you want to keep your food and drinks cold away from home.

• The compact dimensions
• They don’t stay cold for longer than a couple of hours

Wherever you are headed, and however much food and drinks you need to take with you, there will be a travel cooler to suit. From oversized ice chests that can double up as a portable bar, to soft-sided coolers that will keep your lunch cool during your commute, modern-day coolers offer impressive cooling capabilities across the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hard or soft coolers better.

The decision to buy a hard or soft cooler comes down to budget, use, and capacity. Soft coolers are cheaper and more portable but do not keep contents cool as long as hard coolers. On the other hand, hard coolers are generally more expensive and less mobile but have superior cooling capabilities.

What is the best travel cooler?

The travel cooler market is quite competitive and there are many that may be considered the best travel cooler. Some of the best coolers are made by brands such as Coleman, Igloo, ORCA, RovR, and YETI.

How long does a cooler keep food cold?

How long a cooler keeps food and drinks cold for depends on various factors such as the type of cooler, the insulation used, and how often you open it up. Cheaper, soft coolers may only keep food and drink cool for a few hours, whereas some heavy-duty hard coolers can keep food and drinks cool for 7 days or even longer.

What is the best cooler for the beach?

The CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag: Insulated Leakproof 50 Can is great to use on the beach as it’s a good size and incredibly portable. There are no wheels to contend with, and it has a solid structure that keeps it upright, even on uneven surfaces such as sand.

Which is the best cooler backpack for hiking?

The TOURIT Cooler 30 Can Backpack is an excellent backpack for keeping drinks and snacks cold for up to 16 hours with freeze packs. The bag also comes with ventilated material on the back to prevent your clothes from getting wet from condensation, and the padded, adjustable straps are comfortable to carry. 

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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A female radio-collared wolf crosses an ice bridge in February.

How Do Wolves Get to a Remote Island? Ice Solves Mystery

Female's trek nails down how wolves get to the Lake Superior island home of a controversial, and dwindling, wolf pack.

For the first time, a wolf has been tracked crossing an ice bridge into northern Michigan 's Isle Royale National Park —an impressive feat that might be a hopeful sign for the predator's ability to survive climate change .

On February 22, the GPS-collared wolf left her territory in eastern Minnesota's Chippewa Grand Portage Reservation and trotted 14 miles (23 kilometers)—the shortest possible distance to her destination—across the rugged Lake Superior ice to Isle Royale, a remote, forested island that's home to an unrelated wolf pack.  

An uncollared companion of unknown gender went with the female; the pair stayed on the island a few days before returning home.

An uncollared companion of unknown gender came with her; the pair stayed on the island a few days before returning home on February 27, according to GPS data collected by Seth Moore, director of biology and environment for the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa .

"It's cool on a bunch of different levels. First of all, it establishes conclusively how wolves get to Isle Royale—this was all speculation up until last week," says Moore.

Scientists have long predicted that wolves get to the island via ice bridges in Lake Superior. Since these bridges don't form reliably anymore thanks to rising temperatures in the region, some believe the future of Isle Royale wolves is tenuous at best.

At the same time, the island wolf population has been steadily declining, according to scientists with the Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale Project . In 2009, scientists documented about 24 wolves living on the island. By February 2014, that population had dwindled to nine, says Rolf Peterson , a wildlife ecologist at Michigan Technological University in Houghton who has led the project since the 1970s.

The likely reason for the decline is inbreeding. With few outside wolves breeding with the island population, and therefore little genetic diversity among the remaining wolves, all the animals have skeletal deformities, and their weakened state could be interfering with reproduction.

Island Getaway

But Grand Portage wolves—whose range also includes parts of southern Ontario—are faring well. The wolf that was tracked to Isle Royale, dubbed Wolf 13264, has been documented several times traveling more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home, Moore says.

Wolves are constantly looking for new territories and mates, and can travel long distances, Peterson explains. "As soon as there's ice anywhere, they're on it," he says. "They like to move."  

As for what she and her buddy got up to during their jaunt on Isle Royale, there's little to go on—her GPS data is collected only once every 12 hours.

The duo did come within a few miles of the resident wolves, and it's even possible they interacted somehow—perhaps by howling, says Peterson, who has received funding from the National Geographic Society.

Maybe the collared female even evaluated the genetic fitness of the resident wolves by smell and decided not to join the pack, he speculated.

Next, scientists can watch the pair to see if they return to the island, which might mean they're scouting out new territory, says L. David Mech of the U.S. Geological Survey, who has also studied Isle Royale wolves.  

More Adaptable Than Thought?

Overall, the event "certainly calls into question a lot of the assumptions everyone has had," Mech says.

Seeing that wolves can so quickly and successfully travel over an ice bridge suggests the species may be more adaptable to climate change than thought, Mech says.

But will there be ice for the wolves to use? Mech notes that ice bridges have appeared in Lake Superior over the past two years, despite predictions to the contrary.

But Grand Portage's Moore says those bridges haven't lasted as long as in previous years—the one the wolf pair crossed in February is already gone.

The wolves' trek may also help the National Park Service decide whether to intervene to save Isle Royale's wolves, Mech adds. Some experts believe that unless new wolves are brought to the island, the pack there will die out.  

"If wolves can get over there more easily than we've assumed, with a temporary ice bridge that could form any winter," Mech says, "this would change that outlook."

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8 Best Tumblers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

I put over 40 tumblers through temperature retention, durability and ease of use tests to determine which are worth your money.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Camelbak thrive mug.

Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler with Lid and Straw

Best for Coffee

Brümate müv.

Best for Cold Drinks

Owala insulated travel tumbler.

Best Wine Tumbler

Contigo river north wine tumbler.

Best Large Capacity

Hydrojug traveler.

Best for Travel

Stanley iceflow stainless steel tumbler.

Easiest to Clean

Yeti rambler tumbler.

But, what's the difference between a tumbler and a water bottle ? Tumblers usually have a larger mouth and a wider shape that resembles a cup, versus a narrow bottle. While water bottles are easiest to clean when used with water, tumblers are designed to hold a variety of different hot and cold beverages. Some have handles and small spouts for sipping, while others boast straws that stay in place or fold down for travel.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, our team of experts tests thousands of beverage-related products every year. Over the past couple of months, I personally tested over 40 tumblers. I also worked with our consumer testers to get their feedback on how much they liked using their tumblers in real-life scenarios. Here are the tumblers that excelled in temperature retention, ease of use, versatility and so much more.

The CamelBak Thrive Mug was out best tested tumbler for its great insulation and durability. After 24 hours, I found that the water still remained cold and when dropped from our drop tester it didn't dent or spill all over me or my colleague. It features a comfortable, easy-to-grip handle and a lid with a small spout and closure. The base has a non-slip material that consumer testers have told me is great when they're trying to be extra quiet around sleeping family members. The lid easily screws on and off the tumbler, which is much easier than other pull-off lids I've tested.

The lid leaked a tiny bit when the tumbler was pushed over in our leak test. It was easy to clean up, but something to keep in mind if having a leak-proof tumbler is important to you.

We also tested the Camelbak Thrive Tumbler , which is a smaller, more affordable option, without a handle. This model tested just as well as the the Thrive Mug.

Simple Modern's tumblers have tested well in our Lab tests and conveniently are also affordable. This model from Simple Modern comes with two different lids — a leak-proof lid (as confirmed in Lab testing) and another lid with a straw — so it's perfect for people like me who sometimes wants to use it for iced coffee and sometimes for hot coffee. I just suggest holding on to it well because the bottom did dent quite a bit, with some paint chipping when dropped in our Lab tests.

This tumbler is also compatible with a cocktail shaker lid that is sold separately, but adds even more versatility to this model. While we only tested the 20-ounce option for this story, it also comes in three other sizes: 16-, 24- and 28-ounces in a variety of fun colorways and patterns to choose from.

BrüMate's leak-proof tumbler ensures that you won't drop a single drop of your coffee even if you throw it into your backpack on a long commute. It features a lid with a lock that gives you (and especially people like me!) peace of mind on your commute. I thought it was comfortable to sip out of and the handle offers a comfortable grip. The bottom of the tumbler is tapered to ensure that it will fit inside your car's cupholder.

In our Lab tests, this tumbler got perfect scores in the drop and leak tests. The lid took me a bit of practice to remove from the tumbler since the pieces have to be properly aligned, but I figured it out after a couple of tries thanks to the packaging stickers BrüMate provides.

This insulated tumbler from Owala comes in a variety of fun colorways and offers two ways to drink from it: with the included straw or sip mode through the lid. Out of all the tumblers I've tried, I really like drinking water out of this at my desk because it holds a lot of water and is comfortable to use and hold. I also like using it for my iced coffee. It peformed relatively well in temperature retention over a 24-hour time period, but kept its ice over the course of an entire workday.

Owala's Insulated Travel Tumbler performed well in other Lab tests as well. The straw didn't leak when the tumbler was hit on its side, unlike other tumblers with straws that leaked all over the place. Keep in mind that if you do turn the tumbler upside down it will leak. And there was only a slight dent on the tumbler after drop testing.

I tested nine different wine tumblers to determine the best wine tumbler for this story and the Contigo River North Wine Tumbler tested best overall . It's lightweight (6.1-ounces) and easy to grasp in your hand. It received high scores in drop testing, it didn't dent nor did the lid come off after all three drops and leaked only a tiny bit during leak testing.

Instead of water, each wine tumbler was tested with chilled wine in our Lab. This tumbler has a small spout and is easy to sip from; if you prefer to sip from it without the lid, you can do that as well. Like other wine tumblers we tested, the insulation of this tumbler wasn't as good as larger tumblers, so sip your wine quickly (but that isn't the worse problem you could have).

The HydroJug Traveler is a large, 40-ounce tumbler that features a straw that folds down when you're not drinking from it, which proved to be leak-proof in our tests. (It's actually one of the only 40-ounce tumblers I tested that's leak-proof.) It didn't leak in our drop test, where we drop the tumbler from a height of three feet, but it did dent. I love that with such a large capacity, I don't need to refill this tumbler often to meet my daily hydration goals.

"I prefer that the lid is see-through, so you can easily see what's inside the cup without unscrewing the top," said one tester who also appreciated the HydroJug's rubber base, which makes it less prone to falling over on certain surfaces.

The Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler comes in four different sizes from 20-ounces to a whopping 96-ounces and over 30 different colorways. In our Lab tests it didn't leak at all, receiving a high score, but it did dent a bit from drop testing. While my colleagues and I really like the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler , a.k.a. the Stanley cup, which has tested well in our Labs, we think this is a great option for those who love to travel thanks to its leak-proof straw, tapered bottom and comfortable handle.

"I love that it has a higher capacity than most water bottles, but still fits in the same cup holders thanks to its shape, perfect for road trips, air travel and hiking ," said one tester. They went on to say that the handle is useful and easy to hold and how convenient it is that the straw easily flips up and down; "it’s all the appeal of the iconic Stanley cup made easy for travelers."

RELATED: Stanley vs. Yeti: Which Tumbler Is Better?

The Yeti Rambler Tumbler is an easy-to-hold and durable tumbler (no dents in drop testing) that comes in various sizes and colorways to match your style and beverage preference.

On the brand's website you can even customize your tumbler by engraving your own uploaded design, monogram or more onto the back or front of your tumbler. (I engraved one for my mom for Mother's Day!) We've tested various capacities of this tumbler, but we're especially fond of the 20-ounce version which is great for transporting your morning coffee, a smoothie or even just for keeping water at your desk.

The Yeti MagSlider lid makes it easy to open and close the drinking spout and to remove the closure for easy cleaning. Better yet? All pieces are dishwasher-safe. Keep in mind that if you accidentally drop this tumbler, the MagSlider may fall off (it did in a drop test) and spill your beverage, so be careful when transporting.

The Competition: Other tumblers we tested

While these tumblers might not be for everyone, we think they're also solid options for certain needs and preferences:

•Looking for a ceramic-lined option? W&P Porter Insulated Tumbler features a comfortable non-slip silicone sleeve that prevented the tumbler from denting during drop testing, but it didn't have the best temperature retention.

•A compact ceramic-lined option? Fellow Carter Cold Travel Mug comes in a variety of neutral colorways and has rather good insulation, but it's a little small compared to most of the ones I tested.

•A small tumbler with a fold down straw? Pelican Hydration Pelican Traveler is a small 22-ounce option with a fold down straw and a leak-proof seal that was a little hard to clean.

•An option with a stainless steel straw? Corkcicle Cold Cup Insulated Tumbler was rather durable in testing and comes in a variety of fun colorways. A couple of consumer testers thought the straw was hard to drink out of.

•Interested in a hot and cold option? Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler can hold either hot or cold beverages and is compatible with a straw lid or a closeable lid, which is nice, but I found during testing that it came off a little too easily.

How we test tumblers

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we evaluate each piece of drinkware for leakage, temperature retention, durability and more.

We've tested thousands of pieces of drinkware over the last couple of decades. In our latest round, I tested over 40 tumblers, including 17 Stanley cup dupes side-by-side to evaluate performance and ease of use.

To determine each model's durability, we use our drop-tester machine ( pictured ) to drop each cup at a height of three feet — twice with the cup standing upright and once with it on its side.

To assess temperature retention, every tumbler is filled to maximum capacity with water. We then remove a specific amount of water from each tumbler, replacing it with a calculated amount of ice.

The internal water temperature of each tumbler is documented eight times over 30 hours to determine which dupes retain temperature best.

To test leakage, we fill each tumbler with the same amount of water and food dye. We knock over each tumbler and let it sit on its side for 30 seconds, then we check to see if any water seeps through its straw or lid.

To evaluate ease of use, we consider how each tumbler opens and closes. Using either a dishwasher or dish soap and a brush, we test how easy it is to clean each model.

In addition to Lab tests, we send tumblers to consumer testers to get their opinions on how they fare in real life. When it came to tumblers, we had over 60 consumer testers provide valuable testing insight.

What to look for when buying a tumbler

✔️ Hot versus cold: While some tumblers can hold hot and cold beverages, some are specifically designed for one temperature of beverage over the other. Models with straws tend to only be for cold beverages, while tumblers with small spouts are ideal for slowly sipping hot coffee or tea.

✔️ Size: Tumblers range in capacity from a small 8-ounce for drinking a double shot of espresso to a large 42-ounce for staying hydrated. After you've determined what you would like to hold in your tumbler, think about how much of that liquid you'll want to drink and use that as a guide for selecting the right size for you. ✔️ Materials: If you want your cold beverage to stay chilled and your hot beverage to remain hot, select a tumbler with an insulated material. Insulated tumblers are usually made from double or triple walled stainless steel. All picks on this list are made out of this and some have a plastic lid. ✔️ Ease of drinking: Tumblers usually offer one of two drinking methods. Those designed for cold drinks boast straws, while those for hot beverages have small spouts for sipping. Some tumblers also have two types of lids so you can switch it up based on your beverage. ✔️ Handle: About half of the tumblers we've tested have a handle. Handles make for easier carrying by hand, but might not allow you to carry your tumbler in a backpack pocket or car cupholder, depending on the tumbler. Think about how you will be transporting or not transporting your tumbler before determining which model is right for you. ✔️ Leak-resistance: Do you want to throw your tumbler into your backpack or simply put it into your car cup holder? This determines how important leak resistance if for your lifestyle. There are some leak resistant picks on this list that ensure peace of mind, but if that's not as important to you there are other good picks as well that may leak if dropped accidentally. ✔️ Cleanability: All tumblers should be cleaned regularly to eliminate bacteria and prevent mold growth. If a tumbler must be hand-washed, use a bottle brush to thoroughly clean the interior with soap and warm water. If a tumbler has a straw, we recommend that you hand-wash it for a thorough clean, even if the tumbler states that it is dishwasher-safe. If you're not a fan of using a bottle brush to clean a tumbler, ensure that it’s dishwasher-safe before purchasing. The dishwasher's tough environment can deform the seal on tumblers that aren't dishwasher-safe and ruin the exterior over time, so always check if a tumbler is dishwasher-safe.

Which tumbler keeps ice longest?

In general, we found insulated water bottles to keep ice longer than some insulated tumblers that don't have airtight lids . We determined through testing that the larger the water capacity of the tumbler, like a Stanley cup dupe, the better the ice retention. Our best overall pick from Camelbak had excellent temperature retention, holding ice longer than other picks on this list.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Eva Bleyer has tested all kinds of kitchen gear for GH, including gas ranges , microwaves , kitchen scales , blenders and more. She holds a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University, where she studied sustainability practices. She's also a trained cook. Eva has tested over 40 different tumblers in the last couple of months, including 17 Stanley cup dupes . She has also tested numerous water bottles and insulated water bottles for the Kitchen Appliances Lab.

Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Around the Kitchen

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More From Forbes

Why melting ice doesn’t necessarily cool warming oceans.

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TOPSHOT - Icebergs float in Baffin Bay near Pituffik, Greenland on July 18, 2022 as captured on a ... [+] NASA Gulfstream V plane while on an airborne mission to measure melting Arctic sea ice. New observations from ICESAT-2 show remarkable Arctic Sea ice thinning in just three years. Over the past two decades, the Arctic has lost about one-third of its winter sea ice volume, largely due to a decline in sea ice that persists over several years, called multiyear ice, according to a new study. The study also found sea ice is likely thinner than previous estimates. (Photo by Kerem Yücel / AFP) (Photo by KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the reasons I engage beyond the ivory tower is things that are obvious to me as a scientist may not be clear to others. Weather and climate topics are fascinating and rather intuitive to me. On one of my social media platforms, I recently discussed warming oceans. That post received a comment asking why melting glaciers don’t cool warming oceans. When I saw the comment, it was a reminder that complex science topics are often interpreted from a simplistic lens. It also offers a teachable moment.

The cryosphere

Let’s begin by defining ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory website is a good place to start. It notes, “Glaciers – large sheets of ice and snow – exist on land all year long.” You can find them on every continent except Australia. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center website , “An ice sheet is a mass of glacial land ice extending more than 50,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles).” The Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, as well as mountain glaciers, are land ice. NASA’s website goes on to say, “The ice in the Arctic is frozen seawater and therefore considered sea ice.” They are all a part of the cryosphere, which refers to ice in its various forms on Earth.

Change in ocean heat content in recent decades.

Now back to the question about why melting ice does not cool warming oceans. It makes sense that someone would think this way. After all, ice is cold, right? That’s what we seek to chill our refreshing drink on a hot day. The global oceans are vast and about ninety percent of the global warming of Earth is taking place within them. According to NASA’s website, “The last 10 years were the ocean’s warmest decade since at least the 1800s. The year 2023 was the ocean’s warmest recorded year.”

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To address the melting ice/temperature question, I revisit a 1999 paper published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society entitled, “The Impact of Melting Ice on Ocean Waters.” Adrian Jenkins points out that a “direct” effect of melting is to cool water in the vicinity of the ice. However, the ocean is constantly in motion. Convection (a process involving transfer of heat in water or air) and ocean currents redistribute water into comparatively warmer regions. Therefore, such localized melting is not likely sufficient to offset global ocean warming. But there’s more.

Global surface temperature anomalies in 2023 as compared to averages from 1951 to 1980.

The Earth system is a bit more complex than the direct effects and our simplistic understanding. Significant sea ice loss is actually accelerating ocean (and atmospheric) warming. The map above illustrates that the Arctic is warming at a faster rate than other parts of the planet. Such “arctic amplification” is a result of the ice-albedo feedback. What’s that? NOAA’s Ocean Service website explains, “When warming temperatures gradually melt sea ice over time, fewer bright surfaces are available to reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere.” That solar energy is absorbed rather than reflected, which causes more melting, warming, and delays in cool season ice growth. The website goes on to say, “The ice melts faster the following spring, exposing dark ocean waters for a longer period the following summer.”

Global ocean conveyor belt

Sea ice also affects a large global circulation called the global ocean conveyor belt or thermohaline circulation. The NOAA website says, “Sea ice contributes to the circulation of the global ocean conveyor belt. Cold, dense polar water descends from the surface and circulates along the ocean bottom toward the equator, while warm water from mid-depth to the surface travels from the equator toward the poles.” This process is driven by differences in density. Ocean water is saltier than freshwater found in land ice.

Comparison of sea ice age during the week of March 4, 2000 (left) and the week of March 5, 2023 ... [+] (right).

To further illustrate the complexity of the Earth system, a recent study by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of Massachusetts Amherst found an interesting connection between melting Arctic sea ice and atmospheric cooling. A 2020 press release stated, “Massive amounts of melting sea ice in the Arctic drained into the North Atlantic and disrupted climate-steering currents, thus playing an important role in causing past abrupt climate change after the last Ice Age, from about 8,000 to 13,000 years ago.” The study, published in the journal Geology , suggested that ample cold, fresher water has previously disrupted the ocean conveyor belt circulation and triggered abrupt cooling events like the Younger Dryas.

Climate certainly exhibits natural variability. That fact is something that climate scientist understand so resist the urge to remind them. However, they also understand that anthropogenic activities are also affecting the climate system. As I often say, it is “and” not “either/or.” And in the case of melting ice, there are multiple “ands” and “ifs” at play.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - DECEMBER 08: A man watches an animated projection, showing the different ... [+] acidity of the ocean, inside the U.S. Center 09 during the second day of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 on December 8, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Politicians and environmentalists meet for the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 that runs until December 18. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)

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Crying fugitive illegally in US, wanted by Interpol for murder arrested during traffic stop in Texas

A n international fugitive from Mexico, living in the United States illegally and wanted for murder by Interpol, cried as she was arrested last week in Texas.

Leo Acosta Sanchez, 21, was captured on May 24, when she was pulled over during a routine traffic stop, as part of a collaboration between local and federal authorities.

“During a routine patrol, vigilant Splendora Police officers identified the wanted individual behind the wheel of a vehicle and promptly called for backup,” the department announced Saturday.

“Following the arrival of additional units, a traffic stop was conducted, leading to the immediate arrest of the driver, identified as Leo Acosta Sanchez,” it continued.

Authorities knew Sanchez was living in the area, was wanted by Interpol, and knew of her travel habits.

“The suspect, who had been illegally residing in our state and country, was known to travel between the City and her residence in Terrenos.”

Terrenos is a residential community advertising cheap land for sale outside Houston.

“In a joint effort with the Department of Homeland Security, Mrs. Sanchez was taken into custody to face charges related to the alleged crimes committed,” the department said.

Officials have not disclosed the exact charges Sanchez faces, or given any details regarding the alleged murder.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Fox News Digital that Sanchez is originally from Mexico. 

“Acosta entered the United States as a nonimmigrant on Aug. 20, 2023, and violated the terms of her admission,” the federal law enforcement agency said. “She remains in ICE custody pending disposition of her immigration proceedings.”

Photos shared by the Splendora police showed Sanchez captured seemingly crying with her hands cuffed behind her as she sat in the back of a police cruiser.

“Splendora Police commends the swift and effective collaboration with our Federal partners in ensuring the apprehension of this dangerous individual,” the Splendora celebrated. 

With Post wires

Watch CBS News

Here's why summer travel vacations will cost more this year

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: May 23, 2024 / 8:08 PM EDT / CBS News

Summer vacations, a big-ticket purchase for most Americans, will be even costlier this year despite airfares, rental car costs and other travel-related expenses dropping. The reason? Elevated prices on things like  checked bags , restaurants and recreational experiences. 

While hotel prices are down 4%, airfares down 6% and rental car costs have dipped 10%, according to a  NerdWallet  survey, vacationing this summer will cost 15% more than it did before the pandemic. That's because airline extras like seat selection fees, as well as dining out and entertainment costs, are making a bigger dent on Americans' wallets. 

"Inflation is no joke. Americans are feeling the impact," said CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. "What they're going to find when that bill comes, it's going to look a lot like it did last year, but there are some real pain points," he added. 

One of those pain points is  airline baggage fees . "That could be $5 and then multiply that times two for your roundtrip, multiply that by four for your family of four, and you're seeing that the cost of travel does feel like it's going up even if individual prices are going down," Sally French, who tracks vacation inflation for NerdWallet, told CBS News. 

Vacation activity costs, such as visiting amusement parks or other sites, have risen 3.4% since 2019, according to NerdWallet. 

As far as eating out goes, restaurant dining is up nearly 30% compared with 2019. That could amount to a significant expense for vacationers, many of whom don't include food in their budget. "A lot of people won't budget restaurant prices when they're making that initial vacation plan," French said. "They're budgeting out the price of their hotel and airfare."

Indeed airfares can appear artificially low when only the base fare is advertised which doesn't take into account the cost of extras like choosing a seat. 

Ways to save on summer travel

Despite inflation and concerns about the state of the economy weighing on Americans' psyches and wallets, roughly 70% still say they will take a trip this summer. 

Van Cleave offers these tips for consumers looking to cut costs when taking trips. 

• It always pays to travel at off-peak times, when airfares tend to be cheaper. Over Memorial Day Weekend , for example, Saturday is a slower travel day compared with Thursday and Friday, which folks look to so they can get a head start on their long weekends. 
• Being flexible on where you travel can also help your wallet. Avoiding particularly popular or congested areas can lead to significant savings. "If you just want a beach, you maybe go to a less popular, less in-demand destination,"  Van Cleave suggests. "You get the sun, you get the sand, you get the surf and maybe you get a smaller bill."
• Lastly, spend your travel rewards and credit card points as you accumulate them, as opposed to stockpiling them for some point in the future, when they may be worth less. "Use them as you get them to cut travel costs. The only guarantee with those points is they become less valuable as time goes on," Van Cleave said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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A $1,600 burger? 7 of the most over-the-top hotel room service experiences

Room service is there to make life more indulgent. Why get ready for a meal at a restaurant when your meal can be delivered right to your room? 

Apparently, it is not an uncommon feeling. Demand for room service is on the rise with hotel guests, according to Hotels.com ’s first Room Service Report. The report surveyed 473 hotels worldwide about their guests’ room service habits during April 2023. 

While most people are ordering burgers, pizza and other beloved comfort foods, there are some guests pushing the boundaries of their room service experience. About 27% of the surveyed hotels said their guests will splurge on room service, spending over $100 on items like steak and champagne.

The offerings for room service can get even fancier than that though. Hotels.com came up with the most unique and indulgent room service experience from its top properties. Check them out below.

A front-row seat comes to you

When tickets to the symphony are sold out, guests at the Milestone Hotel in London can still bring classical music straight to your suite with an in-room concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Pick from a solo harpist or a string trio for the private performance. The experience is only offered to hotel guests staying in their suites and prices are quoted on an individual basis.

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How about a $1,600 burger?

According to the survey, burgers are the most popular in-room dining option. However, most burgers probably aren’t like the one offered on Houston’s Post Oak Hotel ’s room service menu. It’s likely going to be the most lavish burger you ever encounter, “Black Gold Burger” is made of 16 ounces of Wagyu beef imported from Japan and topped with seared foie gras and black truffle served in a caviar-infused black and 24-karat gold brioche bun. On the side, you get 24-karat gold hand-cut fries. To wash it all down, the burger comes with a 2006 bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. The meal won’t come cheap either, clocking in at $1,600.

Yes, you can order toys at this hotel 

Staying in an 800-year-old Irish castle once owned by the Guinness family is fascinating enough, but how about also meeting with a Lego Butler who will hand-deliver Legos to your room on a silver platter while wearing white gloves? The unique service at Ashford Castle is offered to young guests staying at the castle and costs 40 pounds (almost $50 USD) per LEGO set. 

Dial the caviar hotline

Located along Billionaires’ Row, Park Lane New York lives up to its name by offering a caviar hotline. All guests have to do is dial ‘5’ on their in-room phone and they can get caviar nachos, deviled eggs or other caviar dishes and even drinks delivered to their room. Caviar prices vary, but a 30g tin of Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar’s retail price is $125 , as of May. 

Food via boat more your speed?

A vacation in Bora Bora is already romantic, but the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa wants to take the experience up a notch. One in-room experience is a starlit dinner or breakfast delivered to your overwater villa via an outrigger canoe. According to the hotel website, it’s a “fairy-tale experience,” including French champagne and dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. 

A movie-inspired sundae 

The iconic New York hotel has a room service menu item inspired by the movie filmed there, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” For $300, you can get the Home Alone sundae delivered to your door with 16 scoops of assorted ice cream flavors and an equally outrageous amount of toppings, including brownie bits, maraschino cherries and M&M’s.  

The ice cream ‘truck’ comes to you at this hotel

When you’re hankering for some ice cream in the Windy City, the Four Seasons Chicago , makes it easy with an on-call Ice Cream Cart. Just make the reservation ahead of time and the ice cream man will pull up to your door to make your perfect sundae with vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

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I'm impressed with the waitstaff-- friendly and attentive. And I was surprised with the ambiance-- the view is east, over the town and you're high enough to get a lovely panorama of the mountains to the south. It just never occurred to me that this little gem has been sitting here, tucked behind me Country Inn. I ordered the spring rolls which were fine, and am enjoying them with a Riesling that isn't always on the menu. Very much worth a visit. On this day, it's pretty breezy and uncomfortable outside-- my dog was allowed inside because he is sweet and well behaved

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Great little spot with appealing wine, beer, and cocktail choices, along with a small food menu. Outdoor patio is roomy and scenic--a great place to chill awhile and watch the hummingbirds. Service was good and I recommend their signature grilled cheese. Indoor seating is also available, and they do a wine special on Wednesdays.

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ICE conducts single adult, family unit, removal flights May 24

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component agency of the Department of Homeland Security, working in close coordination across the Department including with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), continued to facilitate removal flights of single adults, family units, May 20 – May 24.

Those included removal flights to Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. If a noncitizen arrives and has no legal basis to remain in the United States they will be processed and removed quickly, consistent with U.S. law.

Over the past year, DHS has removed or returned over 742,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom crossed the Southwest Border, including more than 111,000 individual family members. Total removals and returns since mid-May exceed removals and returns in every full fiscal year since 2011.

In keeping with standard practice, the United States ensures that all noncitizens without a legal basis to remain in the United States are properly screened for valid protection claims and withholding of removal in accordance with our laws and U.S. international obligations. This applies to all noncitizens, regardless of nationality, to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer, and removal of single adults and family units.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings present their claims for relief or protection from removal before immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Due to operational security reasons, ICE does not confirm or discuss future or pending transportation operations.

ICE Air Operations facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives. In fiscal year 2023 , ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions to more than 170 countries worldwide.

B-roll for removal flights is available here . DHS has made additional videos available to the public and the media including b-roll footage of removal flights, a public service announcement, and testimonials from migrants who have been removed.

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Inflation is Unlikely to Derail Travel Plans for Vacationers This Summer

Julie Bang/Investopedia

Key Takeaways

• Inflation has pushed prices associated with traveling up from pre-pandemic levels.
• Higher prices likely won’t stop travelers this summer, as they are still finding money in their budgets to travel, experts found.
• Consumers say they are taking cheaper flights or saving money when they get to their destination as a way to combat inflation

The costs of traveling are on the rise, but don't expect that to keep Americans from taking to the roads and skies this summer for vacation trips.

“People are kind of gritting their teeth and making the purchases because summer is coming and people want to travel in summer,” said Lindsey Roeschke, a travel and hospitality analyst at Morning Consult. “So it's easier to make those trade-offs and to say, ‘Oh, I guess I'm not going to take that trip [during] spring break and I can just save more money and then travel over the summer.’”

Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index has shown an increase in prices associated with traveling. Lodging away from home was up 1% in April on a monthly unadjusted basis, while gasoline increased 5.2%, food away from home was up 0.3%, and airline ticket costs grew 4.1%. Inflation in most of these categories is far higher than before the pandemic.

Travel is Important For Younger Generations

Despite the rising costs, 72% of people say they are planning to travel, according to a recent survey by Bank of America.

Not only are consumers going on vacation more, they are staying about a day longer than they would have before COVID-19, according to a survey by Mastercard. This particularly affects the Gen-Z and millennial generations, who are traveling more than their predecessors ever did, according to Morning Consult.

“Travel in general for younger generations, in particular Millennials and Gen Z, is seen as an important part of who you are as a person and the way that you spend your time,” said Roeschke. “There's a lot of exposure to social media and seeing other people traveling that inspires people to do it.”

Traveling abroad for big events is also up this year with consumers. From the European Championship of soccer in Munich, to the Summer Olympics in Paris and Taylor Swift concerts in various European cities.

“[Events] inspire people to go places,” Roeschke said. “When it comes to concerts specifically… many people say that it's actually less expensive to fly to a different country and get a ticket to Taylor Swift.”

How Are Consumers Budgeting For Travel?

Many travelers are finding ways to get around the high prices.

Jamie Lam, a Californian college student living in Dallas, regularly tries to lower the costs of her flights home. A frequent tracker of flight and gasoline prices, she said travel costs are getting higher each time she visits, especially as summer approaches. 

She has also found that tickets are the cheapest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and often uses Google Flights to track the prices and get a refund if the price becomes lower than what she paid.

Taking Advantage of a Strong Dollar

Some U.S. consumers are going international to find a good vacation deal. Mastercard found that Japan has become a popular destination this year because of its cheap accommodations and food. Travelers could also be taking advantage of the yen’s lowest level since 1990.

Traveling and learning about other cultures was 24-year-old Anh Tran’s main motivation to visit Japan in April. While there, she was surprised at how cheap food and non-essential goods were.

“Getting to Japan is more expensive up front,” Tran said. “But actually being there, you can basically spend like $20 within a day and you're good.”

She said the hotel, flight, and public transportation in the country were the most expensive part of the trip. However, Tran said Japan seemed more affordable than how she lives back home.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U. S. city average, by detailed expenditure category ."

Mastercard. " Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries ."

Morning Consult. " What Each Generation Wants on Vacation ."

Google. " New ways to browse hotels and save money on flights — plus other tools for summer travel ."

Al Jazeera. " Why is Japan’s yen falling and why is it so weak against the US dollar? "

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