A glimpse into the Christmas forecast
Approaching Mid-December means many people have Christmas on their mind. With Christmas many people think of snow and look forward to the prospect of a White Christmas. What is it looking like for Christmas of 2023?
In Columbia, we see a 22% chance of having a "White Christmas." A white Christmas is defined by an inch of snow or more on the ground on Christmas day. Based off of climatological norms, the chances already look low.
According to the extended 6-10 day away temperature outlook, trends are favoring above average temperatures. The average temperature sits into the lower 40s for much of the second half of December. This paints a picture that temperatures are looking more likely to be too warm to create the conditions for a snow event.
Precipitation trends during this same time period look to remain at or just above normal showing the available moisture needed could be available for a event if temperatures fell. This means to keep your hopes low for a white Christmas. This falls in lines with the El Nino conditions seen in Mid-Missouri during winter months where we usually see warmer and wetter than average conditions.
