48°
A storm responsible for drenching much of the Atlantic Seaboard this past week may be just a small taste of the wet weather to come during the fourth week of December, in terms of rainfall and related travel problems, Accuweather said.
However, the cold air will not stick around long. According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "Enough warmth will rebuild in the East to keep snow out of the picture next week."
The storms will bring rounds of rain, drizzle and fog from part of the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic Seaboard during the fourth week of December. If the weather was cold enough, the storms could bring 1-2 feet of snow next week. For this to happen, the temperature would have to be 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit lower in many cases.
In fact, record warmth is possible, especially along the Atlantic Seaboard. Instead, enough rain can fall at times to raise the potential for flash and urban flooding in some communities and force motorists to slow down on the highways. The combination of rain and a low cloud ceiling may also induce airline delays at times.
Portions of the Atlantic Seaboard could receive several inches of rain next week, Abrams said.
The weather will be warm enough and the systems strong enough to bring rare December thunderstorms to parts of the East and South.
There is also the chance of severe weather. AccuWeather Chief Long Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said that while confidence is high with the overall warm and wet pattern, trying to time each storm beyond a few days in advance is challenging in this case.
One scenario favors one or two strong storms, which would increase the risk for a severe weather outbreak and flooding that could also threaten lives and property. This scenario would allow more of a gap between storms and the potential for a big storm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Another scenario favors multiple weak storms with no severe weather and more modest rainfall. This scenario would be more of a long-term inconvenience for travelers and last-minute shoppers.
No matter what the number of storms and their strength, people should be able to leave the heavy winter clothes in the closet., Accuweather said.
While major travel delays seem unlikely due to rain in the East, there will likely be some delays at airports and conditions on the roads that may slow travelers. For fans heading to bowl games after Christmas, indications are the stormy and wet pattern will continue.
Click here to follow Daily Voice White Plains and receive free news updates.
