First Alert Weather: Good weather for shoppers, but snow could be lacking for Christmas

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — There is a weather pattern across the U.S. that is relatively weak for low pressure systems and their associated fronts.

This does not mean we are not going to see any snowfall this week, but the amount and duration of any snow will be small. For many of us, this is the one time of the year that we would like to see snowfall. Historically there is a 56% chance of having a white Christmas. The criteria for a white Christmas is at least one inch of snow on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, it looks like the timing will not be good for this holiday.

This evening will be dry, but a weak cold front will pass across Western New York later tonight. This front will produce a few flurries and snow showers well after midnight with some of this flurries lingering into Tuesday. We expect little or no accumulation. The temperature will be within a few degrees of 30. Our tranquil weather will continue into Tuesday with a mix of clouds and limited sunshine developing by the afternoon. This first day of the winter season will bring a temperature in the mid-30s. The winter solstice will officially arrive at 10:59 a.m.

Another relatively weak weather system will arrive Tuesday night and Wednesday. Once again snow showers will be out and about, but the actual amount of accumulation will be rather small. Any measured snowfall should be less than an inch for the Rochester area. This weak weather system will bring some gusty winds and colder temperatures with readings falling through the 30s on Wednesday. Thursday should be mainly dry with the mercury staying in the mid-30s.

Yet another weak area of low pressure will be arriving in the Great Lakes heading into Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It appears that Western New York will be on the warm side this storm and temperatures will be rising into the 40s for Friday night and early Saturday. The News10NBC First Alert meteorologists expect just rain and wet snow showers and more than likely any snow on the ground will be melting by Christmas morning.

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