An “Alberta Clipper” system will slide east-southeastward just south of the Great Lakes tonight and into the central Appalachians Friday. The upper-level energy associated with this system will spawn a coastal storm off of the North Carolina coast Friday into Friday night. An elongated trough will extend from that developing coastal northwestward into eastern PA Friday afternoon into Friday evening. This will generate a zone of light accumulating snow across portions of our area Friday into Friday night. Bitter-cold arctic air will follow for this weekend.
FRIDAY
Light snow will overspread the area by late morning and lasting into the evening. A general 1-3″ is possible with this event, although temperatures in the valleys could creep above freezing and inhibit accumulation. This snow will be crucial for those who hope for a White Christmas as there will be only one more marginal opportunity to whiten the ground before Christmas! Temperatures will remain steady or slowly fall Friday night.
SATURDAY
The strengthening offshore storm will draw arctic air into our area upon blustery wind gusting 20-30mph. Temperatures will fall through the 20s during the afternoon for the valleys and the teens in the higher elevations with wind chills! The wind will drive the temperatures into the single digits for much of the area Saturday night, with wind chill temperatures below zero. Stay warm!
SUNDAY
Sunday will feature bitter arctic air. There could be some snow showers surviving into our northwestern counties, but the rest of the area should ‘enjoy’ cold sunshine. This will be the coldest day so far this season, with temperatures failing to make it out of the teens in the higher elevations! As the arctic airmass settles on our region and the wind subsides Sunday night, temperatures will fall into the single digits, and below zero in the usual cold spots!
BEYOND SUNDAY (Monday December 23 – Friday December 27)
This weekend’s arctic airmass will remain in place Monday, with morning temperatures near zero for much of the area, and highs remaining in the 20s. That airmass will depart and allow the rest of the week to average normal or slightly above normal. For some holiday cheer, there will also be an opportunity for light snow or mixed precipitation for Christmas Eve! Temperatures will be in the 20s to low 30s Christmas Eve, slowly warming for widespread 30s and even near 40 in the valleys by the end of the week.
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