GREENSBORO, N.C. — The coldest Christmas for the Carolinas since the 1980s is on the way. Temps will drop, and the winds will whip up after a cold rain pushes through the area. This could make for some tricky travel at times and present some challenges for the holiday.
TRACKING THE STORM
This is a big weather system. For us, it will come in two parts. The first part is a coastal low that forms on Thursday and brings us the first batch of rain.
At the same time, an Arctic front will be charging across the country. An Arctic front is when cold air from the north pole moves down across North America. In this case, it will bring a dramatic temperature drop of about 30 degrees in only a few hours and really gusty winds.
Our first rounds of rain will happen Thursday morning. Then there will be a bit of a gap between midday Thursday and afternoon. Rain will return at times Thursday night, and winds will start to pick up.
Friday will be extremely windy with gusts of 30-45 mph and remain gusty through Christmas Eve.
Bitter-cold Arctic air will drop our temperatures from the 40s to the 10s Friday afternoon and evening. Once we get frigid, we'll stay that way for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Temperatures will slowly creep back up on Monday and Tuesday.
TIMELINE
- Thursday Morning: Cold rain begins. Cold and wet. Temps in the 30s. Light freezing rain is possible in the Foothills and Mountains.
- Thursday Afternoon: Gaps in the rain are likely. Some dry spells. Temps near 40.
- Thursday Night: Rounds of rain return at times. Temps above freezing.
- Friday Morning: Rain returns. Getting windy. A few snowflakes could mix in at the end, but not likely.
- Friday Afternoon: Skies clear. Sun comes out. High winds are likely at 30-45 mph. Power issues are possible. Temps drop from the 40s to 10s.
- Christmas Eve: Bitter cold. Morning temps are in the 10s, feels like single digits. Winds remain gusty. Highs near 30.
- Christmas Day: Bitter cold. Morning temps are in 10s, afternoon high is near 30.
HIGH WINDS
Gusty winds will be a big issue for travel and could cause power issues. When the Arctic front pushes through on Friday, winds will frequently gust between 30 and 45 mph.
Oftentimes, wind of this level will create some scattered power outages for our area. With cold air rushing in, this will create some extremely cold wind chills for our area. It will feel like single digits Saturday morning.
FRIGID TEMPS
This will be our coldest Christmas since the 1980s. Low temps will be in the 10-15 degree range Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings. High temps on Saturday and Sunday will both be below freezing.
The gusty winds will make it feel colder than it actually is.
Make sure to take precautions when venturing outside to protect your skin from the cold. Make sure to protect your home from the elements by checking pipes, and outdoor hoses, and being safe by traveling with an emergency kit in case you have car trouble.
