Unless you live in the Northeast or Alaska, this Winter may be more rainy and stormy than anything else, but the 115 million people traveling home after Christmas will still encounter slippery driving conditions with reduced visibility.
Dangerous snow squalls are hitting the Northeast just in time for Christmas travel. But according to AccuWeather, the chances of a white Christmas for over half of the US this year will be less than 50 percent.
Per the New York Times: The heavy rain and flooding on the East Coast over the past day could be a preview of more to come this winter. From the Gulf Coast of Texas all the way to the southern tip of Maine, people should expect more precipitation than usual from December through February, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest seasonal forecast.
Precipitation is expected to be especially heavy over the southeastern states this winter. Parts of South Carolina received at least 10 inches of rain Sunday and Monday.
As climate change raises the global average temperature, more precipitation is being concentrated into short, intense storms, rather than falling gradually over longer periods of time. And more precipitation is falling as rain rather than snow, even in areas accustomed to cold winters. NOAA expects this winter to be warmer than usual across the northern United States.
Snow lovers may have to keep dreaming of a white Christmas this year, as AccuWeather forecasters say that only a few areas of the United States have a high chance of snow on the ground as the calendar flips to Dec. 25. This includes most of the Rockies and a few pockets of the interior Northeast. Some snow will be possible in part of the High Plains and north-central U.S., as well as the Upper Midwest and areas downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. However, a lack of snow does not mean that calm weather is in the offing on the days leading up to the holiday.
Forecasters are looking at the days following Christmas with the most concern, not only because of the volume of travel, but because the West, Southwest and South may experience rain, rain mixed with snow and or tornadoes. The Northern side of the US can expect snow and flooding. Alaska broke snow records clocking a couple of days of 39 inches of daily snow fall in November.
Weather.gov is a good resource for this Winter’s forecasts, travel conditions and safety protocols.