By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist
December 20,2015; 9:21PM,EST
Rain, snow, fog and thunderstorms could impact travel for millions across the United States in the days leading up to Christmas.
Rounds of rain, snow and cold will affect the West, while episodes of rain, fog and thunderstorms will accompany record warmth in the East.
JUMP TO: Rain, snow to move southward in West | Pre-Christmas snow could blanket part of North Central states | Rain, fog and thunderstorms to accompany eastern warmth
Rain, snow to move southward in West
People traveling by vehicle in the mountains of the West will want to consider packing tire chains and a snow shovels with them. Windshield wipers will get a workout along the Pacific coast.
Daily storms will roll in from the Pacific Ocean through Christmas Eve and will largely affect the Interstate-5 corridor of the Northwest, as well as the adjoining major highways including interstates 80, 84 and 90, as well as routes 20 and 299.
The first storm will hit Monday into Tuesday with heavy rain, gusty winds and the risk of flooding from western Washington to northern California. The storm can have major travel implications from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, and Eureka, California. Rain will also press southward to San Francisco and Sacramento, California, with spotty showers dotting the Los Angeles Basin.
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The storm will also unload 1-2 feet of snow on the Cascades and the northern and central Sierra, which could result in whiteouts and the potential for stalled travel over the passes.
Snow and low-elevation rain will also spread inland during the early week storm to eastern Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern Nevada, Utah and the western parts of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.
Additional bouts of rain, interior snow and gusty winds will follow as the train of storms continue into the Northwest and Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The caboose of this recent storm train into the West will arrive on Christmas Eve and will have eyes farther south. Colder air will also plunge south with the storm and could bring low snow levels throughout the West Coast states. Not only may travel be difficult over Donner Pass, but roads over Tejon and Cajon passes could become covered with snow.
Rain will likely return to San Francisco and Sacramento. Snow could fall on Salt Lake City and Denver into the night of Christmas.
Pre-Christmas snow could blanket part of North Central states
Snowfall east of the Rockies will be almost non-existent in the days leading up to Christmas.
However, part of one of the storms from the West may pack enough of a punch and have enough cold air available to produce snow in a small area.
Portions of North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan have the potential to receive a few inches of snow on Tuesday into Wednesday. The steadiest snow will likely develop north of Interstate 94.
Rain, fog and thunderstorms to accompany eastern warmth
People in the East will be able to pack light in terms of outerwear due to the unusual warmth. An umbrella and waterproof shoes may go a long way, as well as a good set of windshield wipers for those traveling by vehicle.
From the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic coast, the vast majority of holiday travelers will not have to contend with snow or ice. However, delays and difficulties associated with rain and fog are likely, along with the potential for downpours in some locations.
Two storm systems will sweep northeastward from the South Central states bringing plenty of moisture amid the warmth.
The rain will be most widespread on Wednesday into Wednesday night, impacting long stretches of many highway corridors including interstates 10, 20, 40, 55, 80, 81, 90 and 95.
The rain can impact Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston and Charlotte, North Carolina, at midweek.
There is the potential for rain totals to reach or exceed 2 inches in some communities. Downpours will be most numerous in the South, heightening the concern for flash flooding. The possibility for some severe thunderstorms is being monitored in the lower Mississippi Valley and the lower Great Lakes.
Motorists should turn on headlights when driving during rainy and/or foggy conditions, even in the daytime, to increase visibility to other drivers.
William Smith ·
Also
for people complaining that there's no snow: Here in the NYC area the
record for the least amount of snow for a single season is 3.5 inches,so
even the warmest,driest winters we get at least some snow,even if it's
only 6 or 7 inches,so after getting 50+ inches of snow the last couple
of winters it would be a nice change if we only get 6 or 7 inches of
snow all of 2015-16,but it's too early to predict which will happen. The
2015-16 winter season hasn't officially started yet (it starts
tomorrow,December 21,I believe),so let's everyone calm down and not
panic because it's going to be 60-something with no snow on the ground
by December 25. This winter will come,it's just going to take some extra
time longer than usual to finally arrive,but as they say: Be careful
what you wish for;you might just get it.
There's
always going to be some that complain no matter what. Some will
complain that it's too cold,some that it's too
hot,etc..................Things always tend to balance themselves out.
You go through stretches where it's cold and snowy for 2 or 3 straight
winters and then,wouldn't you know it,you get mild,dry, (relatively)
snowless winters for 2 or 3 straight winters,but there's no pleasing
everyone. You can please some of the people some of the time and some of
the people none of the time but you can't please all the people all of
the time.
Gabriel Lawyers
In montreal it's very warm.. no snow for christmas with a daily temperature around 60 degrees F or 17C frown emoticon!!!
Derrick Cornell Cephas ·
Its not even cold in Canada there is no artic air no where?
Kurt Stephenson
There is arctic air, the problem, it is in the arctic. But El nino only exists in our heads.
1 · 10 hrs
Sean Collins ·
Works at Ministry of Natural Resources
what
part of canada are you talking about?? northern ontario is -10C to
-20C, go to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (current temp -22C) and
your looking at -30C to -38C come christmas.. or even look at Iqaluit,
Nunavut (current temp -34C) and they have been -25C or colder.. Just
because you are experiencing warm weather doesn't mean the rest of the
world is
Margie Glover ·
ITS
BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS OUT HERE IN THE INLAND
NORTHWEST. HERE IN NORTHEAST WASH. STATE WE HAVE ANYWHERE FROM 4 INCHES
TO A FOOT OF SNOW ON THE GROUND AND IT APPEARS AS THOUGH ANOTHER FOOT OF
SNOW MAY END UP FALLING BEFORE DAYBREAK ON CHTISTMAS DAY. ITS BEEN MILD
THOUGH-NO BELOW ZERO TEMPS SO FAR AND NONE EXPECTED WAY INTO JANUARY.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
Kurt Stephenson
AND
ITS AMAZING BECAUSE WITH A TYPICAL EL NINO THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT A
LACK OF PRECIP AND SNOW IN THE NORTHWEST MAKING THE DROUGHT WORSE BUT IN
REALITY THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL EL NINO THEY ARE ALL
DIFFERENT
Wayne Langhuber ·
I
am getting a little peeved about people complaining about this warmth
especially if you live in the east and middle atlantic. And MY standard
for what is warm and cold is what is relative to normal. Remember last
Feb/March 2015. Feb 2015 was TWELVE degrees below normal. March 2015 was
SIX degrees below normal. The period of time from Feb 13-March 6 was
SEVENTEEN DEGREES BELOW NORMAL. January 2014 was SEVEN DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL and Feb/March was SIX DEGREES BELOW NORMAL. Those were HISTORIC
extemes (Especially Feb 2015). Do you really want to go back to THAT? If
you do then move north to the Arctic circle. I am enjoying this payback
for the last 2 winters.
Wayne Langhuber ·
To
add. January looks to trend closer to normal and Feb will likely be
below normal with above average snowfall. This winter will NOT be a
repeat of 97-98 or 11-12. We will see a sustain cold spell but its
coming late. Until then enjoy the warmth. Personally I won't mind a
return to season levels but the weather of Feb 2015 was more typical of
Burlingtn Vermont than Lancaster Pa.
Wayne Langhuber ·
Weather
patterns in the east are NOT consistent. What was cold is now warm and
what is now warm will eventually turn cold. Hudson Bay sees sustain cold
every winter. Try living up there.
Tom Cass ·
Wayne
Langhuber What makes you a weather expert? Regardless nobody knows what
the rest of the winter will be like so good luck trying.
Cory Morrison ·
Wayne I will second that comment, only I live in the GTA, so my departures may have been slightly different from yours.
Simon Richard Bernstein ·
2
Silver linings: 1. Utility bill expense getting a nice break. And, no
itchy dry skin, chapped lips. Whether it's warm or cold, just be safe
and happy.
Simon Richard Bernstein ·
Wayne
Langhuber do you remember the winter of 2001/2002? At least in the
Baltimore, Washington area it too was very warm. I'm not sure if that
was an El Nino year. I do remember the following Winter of 2002/2003 we
had at least one blizzard event and I remember falling in that snow and
having a little trouble getting up. (lol)
Wayne Langhuber ·
Tom
Cass I don't claim to be an expert. I am just repeating what the long
range forecasters are saying for Jan & Feb. Also what I am stating
about that period last winter are facts from NOAA. We had a historic
cold snap earlier in the year. Now we are seeing the reverse. Common
sense dictates we will see cold/snow at some point in winter.
Wayne Langhuber ·
Simon
Richard Bernstein Yes I remember 01-02. It was a easy winter. And the
following 2 winters (02-03 and 03-04) were harsh both in terms of cold
and snow. I know 02-03 was El Nino but 03-04 was neutral. Other factors
besides El Nino/La Nina affect weather in the Middle Atlantic.
Wayne Langhuber ·
Cory
Morrison Since your area's averages are about 10 degrees lower than
mine (Quess) even if you weren't as far below normal as we were in Feb
(Minus 12) it must have been frigid up there. The period of 13-14 and
14-15 were the two coldest first three months in my area since records
were kept. Difference is that April-Dec 2015 was much warmer than
April-Dec 2014. In the months since March 2015 there have been two
"Normal" (Oct & July were about 1/2 degree above) or above normal
(May, Sept, Nov and Dec much about he other months slightly above). Dec
will make it nine months of at or above normal. (I know your area was
"below normal" in June so I am guessing that is the only month that
differs from my area).
Joe Buchanan
Wayne
Langhuber I can deal with that. In fact, I'm hoping for that. Get into
early Jan with temps anywhere from +40 -> +60 degrees and who cares
if we have a cold late Jan/Feb. I consider Spring to be here by March
here in central IL. Heck, I've even seen a tornado hit here before the
middle of March rolled around. So yea, 6 weeks (in total) of Winter
instead of 6 weeks MORE of Winter like that silly groundhog always seems
to forecast? I'll take it!
Back in the good old days when I lived in the motherland (Canada) one would've laughed at the notion of 6 weeks of Winter. I've seen snow fall near the end of May some years up in Southern Ontario, although I do know things have changed there too (warmer Winter season), as compared to when I lived there years ago.
Back in the good old days when I lived in the motherland (Canada) one would've laughed at the notion of 6 weeks of Winter. I've seen snow fall near the end of May some years up in Southern Ontario, although I do know things have changed there too (warmer Winter season), as compared to when I lived there years ago.
Wayne Langhuber ·
Cory
Morrison Cory only one word to describe Feb 2015. Awful. That would
mean your temps in the daytime were probably 10-15 and nights 5-10
below? Wow! (I am assuming that there is about a 10-12 degree difference
from where you live and Se Pa in Feb).
Simon Richard Bernstein ·
Can
hardly wait. The warm temps have been nice but along with it has
actually been stifiling humidity! (Baltimore/Washington Area) For
example BWI airport has a thing for cranking up the heat. Add that to
surly Christmas travelers that pack way too much and you have sooo much
fun! And many of the hipsters have a distinct BO factor. Also an El Nino
question. Why is some El Nino years it's cold and snow in Baltimore
area such as Winter 2009/2010? Remember Snomegedden? Whereas this year
like 97/98 are almost tropical.
Kurt Stephenson
Some
of it is the strength and position of the el nino, as well as other
factors, such as the arctic oscillation and north atlantic oscillation.
These last two factors were different in 09/10, which led to more cold
and snow.
Kurt Stephenson
There
is also the issue of Atlantic ocean water temp.'s, gulf temp's, overall
pacific temp's, as well as what appears to be a phenomenon of a second
subtropical jet forming. And the location of the heat equator might be a
factor as well.
Cindy Bledsoe Tilly ·
What does Kansas City Missouri have in store for next week?
Joe Buchanan
I think you're going to be in the 50s from Tues - Sat there. Mild. Pleasant. Looks like the rain system(s) will be east of you.
Michael Pannoni
Unfortunately,
this warmup will be very monsoonal in nature as Christmas week is
trending wetter, so while highs may not be as high, we'll instead have
higher lows (and dewpoints). Santa better have a lightning rod this
year, and let's hope that there isn't too much rain/wind that causes a
damper/damage to all the lights/decorations. Its just the El Nino
moisture making that left turn and up the coast.
Vicki McClare ·
For
all of you complaining about no snow, I'd like to remind you of last
year. There was way too much snow and it began in late September all the
way through April. I plan on enjoying every bit of this mild weather
we've been having. If you like cold snowy weather move to Alaska.
Christmas is about Christ's birth, not how much snow we have on the
ground. Chill out
Christine Double ·
You
may like a mild winter, but, this warm weather hurts alot of people
financially in terms of vacationers not showing up to ski, snowshoe or
use their snowmobiles. This mild weather also is not good for the
trees, plants and animals native to the colder, snowy regions of the
country. So, while you enjoy yourself, others are hurting.
Vicki McClare ·
Christine
Double ,didn't know anyone would take this so personal. I don't like
snow or cold weather and had the displeasure of being born in new
york.So,I'm sorry you got so upset but I still love this weather.
Deanne L. McKimmey ·
Works at Retired Paramedic
Christine Double AMEN on that comment! That's is what I keep telling everyone!
Kurt Stephenson
Christine
Double You can't compare apples to oranges. What about all the poor
people who are saving on their heating bills? And less accidents from
people driving in the snow. It's just hard to evaluate exaclty how an
unusual weather pattern affects things, and of course, effects on trees
affects ppl. You don't want apple blossoms to bloom and then freeze.
This is what it looks like here after Winter Storm "Echo".
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/.../12374800...
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/.../12374800...
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