Fall-like temperatures to eat away at the snowpack across central US in the final days before Christmas

By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist

Updated Dec. 23, 2019 11:54 AM

An extended stretch of dry and relatively warm conditions are set to continue across much of the Plains and Midwest into the Christmas holiday.

The current United States snow depth map continues to show much of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern Michigan, hanging on to 3 or more inches of snow.

Portions of central Illinois and Indiana, including Indianapolis, also have snow on the ground from a disruptive storm more than a week ago.

But those dreaming of a white Christmas this year may be disappointed.

The upcoming warm and dry forecast will continue to eat away at most of the snowpack across this part of the country.

Above-freezing daytime temperatures are expected to extend northward through the Plains and into Canada as an area of high pressure builds at most levels of the atmosphere early this week.

Temperatures climbing into the 30s, 40s and 50s F will undoubtedly continue to melt snow on the ground.

While warmer air will shrink the snowpack around Marquette, Michigan, leading up to the Christmas holiday, a white Christmas is still highly likely there.

As of Monday morning, there were 25 inches of snow on the ground.

A mild trend will continue Monday across the center of the country as the general atmospheric pattern remains unchanged in the Plains and Midwest.

For those heading out for any last-minute shopping or traveling prior to the holiday, the weather will continue to cooperate.

Most of the Midwest, including Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, can expect above-average temperatures and tranquil conditions for Christmas Eve.

The only weather related threat will be to late-night or early morning travelers. In localized spots where temperatures dip below freezing across the northern Plains and Midwest, freezing fog could also pose a threat during this time.

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On Christmas Day, a weak disturbance in the upper levels of the atmosphere may lead to grey skies and areas of drizzle across portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

There may be a brief window early in the morning where some patchy slick spots form, but as temperatures rise after sunrise, that threat should diminish.

The center of the country will continue to have a mainly dry and warm Christmas Day.

There is the opportunity for more wintry weather for the northern and central Plains late in the week for those heading home following the Christmas holiday.

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