Pair of rainstorms to soak eastern US into Christmas Eve

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

December 21,2015; 10:43PM,EST

 

 

Storm systems will bring rounds of rain across the eastern United States this week and ruin the chance for a white Christmas.
Following a chilly weekend with areas of lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes, the next storm system will bring a round of rain across the Eastern states on Monday into Tuesday.
The second storm system will spread rain across the region on Wednesday through Thursday.

"The combination of an area of high pressure over the western Atlantic Ocean and a train of low pressure systems will drive moisture northward out of the Gulf of Mexico and across the eastern United States during Christmas week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio said.
The heaviest rain and the greatest risk of flooding with these storms will be focused across the Southern states with more spotty downpours from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast into Christmas Eve.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

The rain, combined with mild air could lead to localized flooding across a small portion of the Tug Hill Plateau in upstate New York due to rapid snowmelt from the 2 to 3 feet of snow that fell during the weekend.
"Most of the time, the rain will not be heavy or excessive," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "However, there will be a couple of occasions where it can pour."
Those with Christmas travel plans in the area from Atlanta to Boston will have to deal with wet roadways. Luckily, roads will not be snow covered or slippery.
RELATED:
Snow drought, extreme warmth create 'extremely challenging' season for Northeast ski resorts
Millions of US christmas travelers may face storm-related delays
Eastern US to remain mild as El Nino keeps the Polar Vortex at bay this winter
Last minute Christmas shoppers will have to bring rain jackets and umbrellas when heading to the mall. While it will not rain the entire week, the risk for a shower in the area will be present for most days.
Portions of the Eastern states will have to deal with areas of dense fog and low cloud ceilings at times, which can lead to travel delays on the road and in the air.
While much of the eastern U.S. will receive between 0.50 and 1.00 inch of rain with localized totals to 2 inches into Christmas Eve, portions of the Gulf Coast could receive between 2 and 4 inches.

Track the rain by using AccuWeather Minutecast®.
Any rain this week will be beneficial for portions of the Northeast as some areas are dealing with an abnormally dry or moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
A strong area of high pressure will push the storms out of the area by Christmas Day from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. Snow showers may occur across the higher elevations of northern New England while the risk for showers will remain across the Southern states on Christmas Day.
As the jet stream shifts back to the north this week, not only will the eastern U.S. be dealing with areas of rain, drizzle and fog, but also the return of mild air.
"High temperatures may reach or exceed 70 Fahrenheit on Thursday from New York City to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., breaking record highs," Rossio said.