Workweek Outlook: Green Christmas odds on the rise

We talked about the impressive snow load for the end of November only ten days ago. However, green grass returned this past weekend for many locations, and now the debate begins about the odds for a green Christmas here in the Sault. What looked like a 100% chance of a white Christmas has now dropped closer to 50% for me.

A look at the coming days would suggest that snowsqualls will save the day and provide lots of snow for Santa and his reindeer. However, a look into the end of this week and beyond does show a constant threat of temperatures several degrees above freezing.

I suspect it'll all come down to timing.  It'll be white if we can time one of the cold snaps and snow events just a day or two before Christmas. The other option is a big storm that dumps a ton all at once - but so far, nothing like that is showing up in the long-range weather forecast models. 

On Monday, we will see periods of sunshine interrupted by scattered lake-effect flurries as daytime highs reach the freezing mark.

Light snow falls early Tuesday morning, with snow squalls developing in the afternoon and evening. Total snowfall amounts for the day will be 5-10cm, with possibly higher amounts in the heavier squall lines. Temperatures will be near -1°C, but the gusty west winds will make it feel more like -10.

The snow squalls should end by Wednesday afternoon as daytime highs reach -2°C. Warmer air moves in for the end of the week as temperatures climb to near +5°C under a mix of sun and cloud.  So much of that snow from earlier in the week could melt again.