WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Mild ahead of increasing snow chances on Christmas Eve

Snow on Christmas Eve is looking more likely in metro Atlanta, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Temperatures are expected to crash Thursday as a system of rain and storms moves across the Southeast, making flurries and snow showers possible later in the afternoon, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. Accumulation is more likely in the mountains than in the city, but those looking to the weather to boost their holiday spirit will not be disappointed.

“Even if you didn’t necessarily love snow and cold, you’d want it Christmas Eve,” Monahan said.

He said he does not expect a repeat of 2010, when Atlanta saw its last white Christmas with 1.3 inches of snowfall. Even without snow on the ground, Monahan said it will certainly feel like Christmas on Friday with most of metro Atlanta barely warming above freezing.

Conditions could not be more different Tuesday.

“A little chilly out there, as it should be on the morning of the first full day of winter,” Monahan said. “It’s going to be a pretty nice afternoon for us today.”

Temperatures are expected to rise from a seasonable start in the 30s and 40s to a projected high of 62 degrees Tuesday, about 10 degrees above average for this time of year.

The afternoon should turn beautiful with lots of sunshine, Monahan said.

“If you’re just headed to work today, you’ve got dry weather in the forecast,” he said. “Running some holiday errands this afternoon? A mainly clear sky in your forecast.”

Mild weather and dry conditions should hold out one more day before the rain and cold settle in, he said. A “big plunge of cold air” is going to be unlocked in Canada and drive down into the Southeast, he said, bringing the chance of snow Thursday.

Precipitation is 100% likely on Christmas Eve, but Monahan said it remains to be seen how much of it will be frozen. There is also a 20% chance of some lingering rain or snow showers on Christmas morning, according to Channel 2.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

At least there are no weather-related concerns for travel Tuesday.

“Our forecast is also looking pretty good for your morning drive this morning,” Monahan said. “Hopefully those volumes stay nice and low here on this holiday week.”

That appears to be the case for most metro Atlanta interstates, except for I-85. For the second day in a row, a crash is blocking southbound lanes in Braselton, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Traffic reporter Ashley Frasca said Ga. 124 is an easy alternate to get around the delays.

Another crash on the Southside was temporarily blocking all lanes on I-85 North at Senoia Road, according to the Traffic Center. Delays were expected to linger getting into Fairburn.

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.

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