White Christmas?

December 18-22

Between now and next Monday, not much will be happening here in the Buckeye State. The storm that had the potential to impact us this weekend appears it will never get its act together and remain weak and to our south. Extreme Southern Ohio might see some stray flurries, but that would be all from this system. *I am keeping my eye on the short-term models as they are trying to paint a brief period of light snow right along the I-70 corridor this afternoon and evening. Nothing in the way of accumulation, but just keep a heads up for the potential for some light snow during the evening rush today*

December 23-27

The all important Christmas forecast is proving to be quite the challenge. The models continue to be all over the place with their handling of a storm system next week. Compared to yesterdays runs, the models have shifted the storm a little further east and less intense. They continue to start us out as rain here in Ohio and ending as some gusty snow showers in the evening Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. The models are continuing to insist, however, that the system becomes stationary in Canada keeping us windy with scattered snow flurries and showers for a couple of days. The details of this storm will not be known for several more days and based on what the models were showing for this weekend just a few days ago, and compare it to what is actually going to happen, you can understand why I am hesitant to believe these forecasts! Also, even though snow may be falling on Christmas Day, it will not be considered a White Christmas by the National Weather Service unless there is at least an inch of snow on the ground.

December 27-January 2

The long-range forecasts indicating that the Christmas week system could be the first to signal a major pattern change. The flip back to brutal cold and stormy weather across the Central and Eastern United States appears to be likely for the end of this year and into 2015. I we manage to get any snow cover around here, the cold will be made much worse as the snow cover can act as a refrigerator. But regardless of snow, it appears highly likely that the end of 2014 will be much below normal in the temperature department.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!