Will Centre County see a white Christmas this year? Here are the chances of snow
Christmas in Centre County could see snowfall, but you may be disappointed if you’re dreaming of a white Christmas.
While the forecasts are early and subject to change, they currently suggest the ground will be soggy and brown rather than snow-covered, at least in lower-lying areas, like State College. The federal government — and this is real — considers it a white Christmas if there is an inch of snowfall in the morning, a standard that has existed for at least 30 years.
“Unfortunately, there is a warm-up that is expected to come in during Christmas week, so whatever snow that we see on the ground probably will end up going away,” AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “Maybe some of the mountains will continue to keep some of their snow.”
Pastelok added that his models show possible precipitation on Christmas Eve, but it may be warm enough for rain. AccuWeather projects temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s leading up to Thursday, Dec. 25 throughout the county, while Christmas is forecast to be near or below freezing.
The National Weather Service projects precipitation and “normal” temperatures — low 30s based on historical averages — leading up to Christmas Day. Weather Underground, an AccuWeather competitor, projects snow showers and colder temperatures for Christmas week.
State College and other lowlands typically have a sub-40% chance of a white Christmas, while areas north and west of Centre County’s mountains are historically closer to 50%, according to the National Weather Service.
But not everything is set in stone.
“We’re a little over two weeks out, so it may change a little bit,” Pastelok said.
