NORAD will start following Santa's journey at midnight on Christmas Eve, and you can follow along with Santa Tracker. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

following santa

NORAD’S Santa Tracker goes live as countdown to Christmas is on

Dec 24, 2024 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) is keeping an eye on Jolly Old St. Nick again this year, allowing all the good boys and girls to follow Santa’s journey in real time.

The joint military command of Canada and the United States who monitor our skies work together every Christmas to make sure Santa delivers his presents safely and so families know when he’s on his way.

NORAD’S Major General Allan Pepin said their global satellites use infrared technology to focus on a very specific heat source.

“On the ground in Northern Canada, we have 47 installations that have ground radar that can help between the communication once they pick up a heat source. In this case, Rudolph has a red nose as we all know, and we can pick up that heat signature from his red nose.”

He said they’ve been tracking Santa’s journey every year since 1955, picking him up on radar as soon as he leaves the North Pole and follow his journey across the globe.

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However, Pepin said there is one crucial way kids can help Santa to ensure he delivers all his presents quickly and efficiently.

“Kids have to be asleep before he will come and deliver presents. He may bypass a house if the kids are up, but he will always come back if the kids are asleep. So it helps the parents and the kids to make sure those kids are sleeping.”

According to FlightRadar24, which tracks global aircraft movement, Santa left the North Pole in the mid-morning hours Nanaimo time on Monday, Dec. 23 bound for Christmas Island in the south Pacific.

NORAD Tracks Santa can be found here on their website, which began following his journey at midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 24, or follow them on YouTube.

— with files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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