Christmas travel could be slippery in Centre County. When to expect rain
Christmas weather is looking bleak for much of Centre County this year.
Warm temperatures and rain the week leading up to Christmas are expected to wash away much of the remaining snow from early and mid-December in low-lying areas. More rain — and possible sleet — is expected late Christmas Eve into early Christmas morning.
The worst of the roads Christmas Day, said AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok, “will happen early in the day, and then it should improve with salting during the course of the day.”
Pastelok cautioned the mountains that cut through Centre County and the fast-moving nature of the Christmas weather system could produce some unpredictability in timing. Higher elevations may retain some snow into Christmas Day, he said.
The latest forecast tracks with earlier predictions, which indicated a soggy, rather than white, Christmas in State College and much of the county.
Light precipitation is possible Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23, when Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data show most Christmas travel in Centre County occurs.
The National Weather Service and forecaster Weather Underground say snow is possible the morning of Dec. 23. Pastelok noted it’s “up in the air” whether more serious precipitation is possible, and New York and New England are more likely to receive the brunt of the snow and freezing rain.
In fact, Americans across of much of the U.S. can expect warmer temperatures Christmas Day.
The cities serviced by State College Regional Airport — Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. — are projected to be warm Christmas week. Rain is forecasted in all three cities for Christmas Day, while Chicago also has a significant chance of showers Christmas Eve, as well.
