Looking Ahead Through The Rest Of December

Many of you may be wondering where the season we call Winter is. I am beginning to wonder the same thing. However, as many forecasters expected, this month of December has been predicted fairly accurately, but not perfect. I will be the first to admit, that I did not expect it to be this warm, nor did I expect us to struggle to see a single snowflake throughout the entire month of December. Granted, we are only half way through the month, but the signals are pointing to a snow-less month.

First off, here is a look of how December has started off in the temperature department:

Nearly the entire Lower 48 is above average temperature-wise for the month! It truly is incredible. Right now all of Pennsylvania is averaging between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius above normal which is an outstanding number, that will continue to climb as we head into the rest of the month.

Tuesday through Thursday will remain above average, until a low pressure system slides to our south on Thursday, delivering with it rainfall. This system will bring with it a minor to low-end moderate rainfall event. Meaning, the area can expect between a quarter of an inch to an inch of rainfall before the night's end on Thursday.

Shockingly, on the backside of this system, it will bring with it much colder air to the region for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Lake-Effect Snow will be cranking this weekend. Areas near Lake Erie may receive several inches of snow, while areas near Lake Ontario could see double digit snow totals is localized locations. As for the Lower Susquehanna Valley, the chance for some of those Lake-Effect Snow Showers to survive the mountains is slim, but there is a chance for some flurry activity during the day Saturday.

Above is valid Saturday Morning. Nearly all of PA is in the lighter blues, which means temperatures between 1 and 4 degrees below normal for this time of year. But, would you look at what is occurring in the picture that we have not seen for quite sometime... a RIDGE OUT WEST AND A TROUGH IN THE EAST..WOW.  Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit and kind of making fun of our weather pattern that we have been stuck in for practically the last month. Anybody who has an understanding of the weather knows what I am talking about.

Here is look of the Lake-Effect Snow Showers I was talking about valid Saturday Morning. A stiff North West off the lakes will deliver a rather brutal cold shot to the mid-state regardless if we do see the flakes fly. Temperatures Saturday may not even make its way out of the thirties! At least it will put us in a the holiday spirit for a little bit. Best chance for any snowfall, is State College, North and West.

This cold shot is short lived however, by the time next Monday (12/21) rolls around, temperatures will be back to warmer than average.

Here is a sneak peak of temperatures Christmas Eve compared to normal:

Ouch...20+ degrees above normal for Christmas Eve into Christmas?? That would put our temperatures into the 60s! With areas near the Mason/Dixon line approaching the 70 degree mark....

Forecast breakdown for the rest of the month:

Tuesday 12/15 - Thursday 12/17: Temperatures averaging above normal. Thursday features a rain event for our area.

Friday 12/18 - Sunday 12/20: Slightly below average temperatures. Lake-Effect Snow gets cranking, possible flurries flying around on Saturday for the Lower Susquehanna Valley.

Monday 12/21 - Wednesday 12/23: Above normal Temperatures as the Southeast ridge emerges once again.

Thursday 12/24 - Saturday 12/27: Well above normal Temperatures, approaching record high's with many of us reaching the 60s.

Sunday 12/28 - Tuesday 12/31: Temperatures beginning to decline, however still above normal.

-Chris