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Clipper system bringing chance of snow to West Virginia
A clipper moving south tomorrow could bring a chance of snow to the mountains to the west of the D.C. area.
WASHINGTON - As Americans prepare for Christmas next week, some may be setting out to travel the weekend before or wondering if the weather will impact their plans for travel or otherwise.
Snow forecast: Northeast and Appalachians may see accumulation
What to expect: A clipper system out of Alberta won’t bring snow to the DMV Friday as it approaches the central Appalachians in the afternoon, but accumulation is forecast in higher elevations of West Virginia through Saturday.
Where snowfall may accumulate depends on whether a few variables mix in just the right way to organize a pivoting band of snow that could bring accumulation over two inches by Saturday morning, somewhere between northeast Maryland or the northern Delaware-Maryland-Virginia (DelMarVa) Peninsula on northeast through eastern Pennsylvania, the Poconos, and into the Tri-State area.
The central Appalachians in eastern West Virginia and western Maryland have the best chance near D.C. to see heavier snowfall. Higher elevations could see over four inches through Saturday, with possible hazardous travel conditions there through the morning.
Weekend travel forecast
Over the weekend, the Northern Rockies will likely get some fresh powder. The northeast corridor will be quiet – dry and cold, with arctic air dominating the eastern half of the country.
Those traveling to the west coast will encounter some rain, mainly along the northwest coast, including Washington, Oregon and Northern California. This storm will also bring snow to the higher elevations of the intermountain west.
Christmas snow forecast
The biggest question across the country for Christmas – is it going to snow!? Well maybe it's not, but for snow lovers, there are spots more heavily favored than others nationwide.
By Monday a clipper system emerges over the northern plains and tracks east into the Great Lakes. Cities including Minneapolis, Green Bay, Detroit, Erie, Buffalo, Albany and most of interior New England should see snow on the ground by Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
DC Christmas Day forecast
By Christmas Day, the front that brings snow to the Great Lakes and New England is a rainmaker up and down the eastern seaboard. So, showers may be an issue for late Christmas Day or the day after Christmas travel.
As for post-holiday travel and into the following weekend, more rain pummels the west coast and this storm system will eventually drift eastward across the country. At this point, there looks to be a chance of rain locally in the days leading up to New Year's.
Temperatures will have shifted to an above normal pattern so no winter weather is expected along the east coast. The Northern Rockies look to once again cash in on some winter weather.
The Source: This story was reported by meteorologist Caitlin Roth, and includes additional reporting from FOX Weather and NOAA.