STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you are hoping for a white Christmas this year, those dreams will have to wait until 2026, weather experts predict.
In fact, according to Bob Larson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, the weather will steadily improve through Christmas Day.
“We do have two opportunities for snow this week. The first comes very late tonight and tomorrow morning,” said Larson. “We expect snow or a mix of snow and sleet to get underway at about 5 a.m. Tuesday. That’ll transition over to pretty much just rain by around 1 p.m. and will end by about 3 p.m.”
Larson noted that the snow accumulation from the Tuesday event will be minimal — less than an inch — and will melt rapidly as Christmas Day approaches.
On Tuesday there will not be much wind to speak of during the precipitation; wind speeds will range from 7 to 14 mph and increase as the evening hours draw closer.
AccuWeather says minimal accumulation and rising temperatures will ensure any snow melts before the holiday, with a potentially stronger storm arriving Friday.AccuWeather
“There will be nothing to shovel, just a slushy coating of about an inch or less,” Larson said. “Even if that were to happen, temperatures will be above freezing Tuesday afternoon into the evening.”
Temperatures will climb into the 40s on Wednesday, Larson added, with wind speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts of up to 35 mph through a good part of the day.
“Any snow that did manage to fall would easily melt away by Christmas,” the meteorologist said. “So that’s why I say, unfortunately, no — well, depending upon what you’re looking for— but no white Christmas this year.”
Larson said on Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, there will be a weak storm system moving through the New York City area that could bring in a 10th of an inch of rain or snow showers.
“I don’t really think we’re talking any snow, if so, I think it’s very light,” predicted Larson. “So in other words, we’re not really talking about anything that would accumulate.”
On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, and Thursday, Christmas Day, afternoon highs should be around 40 degrees and dry, the meteorologist said.
“The wind, which I mentioned would be strong later Tuesday evening and Wednesday, will no longer be gusty by Christmas Day,” emphasized Larson. “There is a possibility of some winter precipitation from a second storm at the end of the week, not Christmas Day, but moving in during the day Friday.”
On Friday and Saturday, according to the forecaster, the weather looks to be wet with temperatures that will be cold but above freezing both days.
“It will likely be by Friday afternoon that some snow or wintry mix moving in, could reach the borough,” Larson said. “That can continue Friday night. Although it’s too early for specific details, that storm looks to be potentially a little more potent than Tuesday’s.”