Rainy, messy weather on the east coast could have an impact on holiday travel on Tuesday and Wednesday, but weather across the US is set to be quiet through the winter week.
The Rocky Mountains and parts of the midwest are due for the heaviest snow in the coming days.
Parts of the midwest, Rockies and plains states will be hit by single-digit temperatures, and in some case, lows below zero. The northern part of the midwest will also experience some heavy snow and in the southern part of the region the snow will be lighter.
Moderate to heavy rain is forecasted for the north-west, with freezing rains and snow showers are due in the highest regions of the Cascades and northern Rockies.
Showers and storms, at times severe, are due in the south until Christmas Eve. The storms could include large hail, dangerous winds and tornadoes, according to the Weather Underground.
Short delays could occur at major airports along the east coast from the anticipated rainfall.
Christmas in the north-east is set to be mild, especially around the main travel routes, according to Accuweather. In major cities like Philadelphia, Boston and New York, temperatures could reach 60.
Temperatures will drop into the weekend, but AccuWeather senior meteorologist Carl Babinski said strong winds will be the most distinctive feature later this week. “The strongest wind gusts will be across upstate New York and northern New England, closer to the departing storm system in eastern Canada,” Babinski said.
These gusts could cause airport delays, though no major travel restrictions are expected for this week.
A winter storm watch is in effect through Wednesday in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with three to six inches of snow predicted.
Little to no rain is predicted in California on Christmas day. The state has experienced much-needed wet weather this month, though it is doing little to alleviate the extreme drought in the state.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report from last week showed that November tied for the seventh highest global temperatures on record.
