
It’s back! In what has become an annual ritual for millions on Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is tracking Santa Claus’s journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children across the globe.
NORAD’s Santa Claus tracker website — NORADSanta.org — includes a map that allows users to track Santa’s location in real time. The site attracts tens of millions of visitors every year.
Beginning at midnight on Christmas Eve, the site utilizes satellite mapping technology and digital animation to simulate the route of Santa’s reindeer and sleigh.
The tracker also features a live count of gifts delivered by Jolly Old St. Nick. At the time of this publication, that figure was more than 1.3 billion.
NORAD’s history of tracking Santa
The practice began in 1955 when a child accidentally called the unlisted number of what was then the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, asking for Santa Claus.
Not wanting to disappoint the young caller, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the command center’s director of operations, “instructed his staff to check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole,” according to NORAD. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families.
The binational military organization, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., eventually enlisted volunteers to answer a dedicated phone line to give updates on Santa’s whereabouts. In recent years, those volunteers have included pop stars, presidents and first ladies.
And the hotline still exists: You can call 877-HI-NORAD (877-446-6723) to reach one of the call center’s operators. (President Trump is scheduled to field NORAD Santa calls from Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.) Last Christmas Eve, it logged more than 300,000 calls.
Just don’t ask when Santa will arrive at your house.
“NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house,” the organization explains on its FAQ page. “We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep!”
latest_posts
- 1
Examination In progress into Abuse of Japanese Government-Supported Advance - 2
First Alert: Light snow through this evening - 3
Embracing Practical Living and Ecological Protection - 4
Ads promising cosmetic surgery patients a ‘dream body’ with minimal risk get little scrutiny - 5
At UN climate conference, some activists and scientists want more talk on reforming agriculture
Savvy Cleaning: The 6 Robot Vacuums of 2024
Figure out how to Use Your Brain research Degree in the Gig Market
Jill Hennessy was a '90s TV staple. Now she's in her fearless era.
Peruvian ex-President Martin Vizcarra sentenced to 14 years in prison
Louisiana seeks California doctor’s extradition, testing the limits of shield laws
Step by step instructions to Explore Assessment Ramifications of Disc Rates
Genome study reveals milestone in history of cat domestication
Mom warns of Christmas gift hazard as daughter recovers in hospital
Bolsonaro says hallucinatory effects of meds made him tamper with ankle tag













