Green Christmas in Erie: National Weather Service calls for unseasonably warm, rainy Dec. 25
It looks like Heat Miser is going to be taking over this Christmas in Erie.
According to Patrick Saunders at the National Weather Service, Erie is due for some high temperatures and rain for Christmas on Monday.
The NWS is projecting Erie to have temperatures with highs in the low 50s on Dec. 25. This also includes a slight chance of rain. The low temperature is expected to be in the low 40s.
Temperatures will gradually increase into the weekend into the 40s, which will then rise into the 50s on Monday.
Well above average temperatures on Christmas
The record high for Christmas Day in Erie is 66 degrees set in 1964, according to the NWS. This is a stark contrast to the all-time low of 3 below zero set in 1988.
The average high temperature in Erie on Christmas is 36 degrees, with the average low of 24. Last year, Erie International Airport recorded a high of 15 degrees and low of 12.
Not the first Christmas with no snow
While Erie historically averages 1 inch of snow on Dec. 25, this year's green Christmas is a contrast to the Christmas of 2017, when a record snowfall exceeding 20 inches blanketed Erie.
According to National Weather Service data since 1873, Erie has had about 47 Christmases without any snowfall recorded.
Although Erie did recently receive some snowfall, that should be melted or turned to slush by the holiday.
"That might have a tough time holding up once it reaches 50 degrees on Monday," Saunders said.
Since October, the NWS has recorded a total of 6.8 inches of snow in Erie.
More rain in the forecast?
The National Weather Service is also calling for a chance of weekend rain showers along with some showers on Christmas night and into the following week.
Saunders said he isn’t seeing any significant weather changes other than the brief chances of rain showers over this weekend.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: National Weather Service calling for warm, rainy Christmas in Erie PA
