Forecast for Christmas shows decent temps, chance of ice and snow

[December 21, 2009]  On Dec. 16, the National Weather Service forecast showed severe cold for the Christmas holiday, with single-digit temperatures for highs. That has changed, with a high on Christmas Eve possibly reaching 48 degrees.

The problem is that a storm coming our way could dump ice and snow on us, especially on Wednesday and Christmas Eve, making holiday traveling a little dicey.

The NWS report shows that exactly what we have coming is still not certain:

A significant storm will affect the Midwest at midweek. A large and complex low-pressure system is expected to develop over the western United States on Monday and then move slowly eastward, affecting much of the Midwest beginning Tuesday and continuing into Christmas Day.

There remains substantial uncertainty in the track of this storm, which will have a bearing on the type of precipitation that will fall across central and southeast Illinois. Current indications are that there is a chance of light freezing rain or sleet developing north of a Rushville-Lincoln-Rantoul line late Tuesday night.

As southeast winds intensify on Wednesday, warm air will change the freezing rain to rain across the region from south to north. At this time it appears that the amount of icing will be light. However, any icy conditions can make traveling difficult.

The heaviest precipitation will likely fall as rain Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. As cold air wraps around the storm, the rain will likely change to snow showers before ending Christmas Eve or early Christmas Day.

Holiday travelers need to be particularly alert to travel conditions this week. This storm has the potential to significantly affect highways and airports in the Midwest, particularly to the north and northwest of our area.

[Text from National Weather Service, Lincoln office; LDN]