Any Hope of a White Christmas?

Can you believe it? Christmas is just a little over a week away now! It means it's time to get down to business with Christmas shopping (for procrastinators like myself)! It also means it's coming within a better range for a forecast. It's a little too early to talk specific temperatures, cloud cover, etc. However, it is becoming somewhat clear that we are in for a cold, but rather dry Christmas Day.

Let me elaborate. We are in what is called a progressive pattern. It basically means the jet stream flow is allowing wave after wave of energy to pass through our region for the next week or so. We are in for quite a rain-making system Monday into Tuesday next week. The moisture will be there, but the cold air will be lacking for serious snowfall. Unless the track of that system changes, we will be left with barren ground and no other moisture-laden storm systems to bring snow through Christmas weekend.

For those dreaming of a White Christmas, don't give up hope yet. Just because the computer models aren't showing a snow set-up here in Oklahoma doesn't seal our fate into stone yet. The one thing going for us would be a plunge of colder air later in the week with the possibility of some overrunning moisture a day or two later. There are indications that could be the case further south around Christmas Day. Right now, the moisture is held back into Texas. However, a shift to the north in that upper-level energy *could* put us in line to see some wintry precipitation. So, in essence, there is still time for that scenario to develop, but it's not all that likely.

White Christmases are not as common in Oklahoma as you might think. The map above, compiled by the National Climatic Data Center shows, at best, a 5-10% chance of 1" of snow on the ground on any given Christmas. Thus, expecting snow on the ground this far south on that specific day is really wishful thinking.

In the meantime, enjoy the rather tranquil weekend weather. High pressure will be in control, allowing for light winds, cold nights, and mild daytime temperatures. That's great news for us last-minute shoppers. ;)

Have a great weekend and be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and "like" me on Facebook!