Where Is Santa Claus? Track His Progress

The countdown clock is ticking. In just a few hours, Santa will take to the skies as he begins his voyage around the world to deliver toys to all good boys and girls.

To help parents and excited children keep track of Santa's progress, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will once again be tracking Santa this year using a combination of radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.

According to NORAD, "It all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across Canada's North and Alaska. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole every holiday season."

Once Santa leaves the North Pole, infrared sensors on NORAD's satellites will help track Santa and his reindeer.

"Over the past 50 years, our fighter jets (F-16s, F-15s, F-22s and CF-18s) have intercepted Santa many, many times. When the jets intercept Santa, they tip their wings to say, 'Hello Santa! – NORAD is tracking you again this year!' Santa always waves. He loves to see the pilots!," the NORAD Santa Tracker website states.

To follow Santa's progress throughout the evening, visit the NORAD website, download the official NORAD Tracks Santa app for Android or iPhone or call NORAD at 1-877-HI-NORAD on Christmas Eve.

You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter.