Meteorologists expecting bitter cold on Christmas in Springfield. But what about snow?

When it comes to the forecast for Christmas this year, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Springfield say "caroling out in the snow" is probably off the table — unless frostbite is on your list.

Meteorologist Gene Hatch said the weather pattern is changing. And starting this weekend, through the end of the year, it's going to be cold in the Ozarks.

"Current indicators are that the period from say Dec. 20 through Christmas, to about the 27th or 28th, could be the coldest period," Hatch said Wednesday.

While the average for this time of year in Springfield is to have high temperatures in the mid-40s and overnight lows in the mid-20s, those numbers could be 15 to 25 degrees lower over the next couple of weeks, according to Hatch.

More:Could Springfield see a white Christmas? Farmers' Almanac predicts stormy, glacial Midwest winter

Hatch said the drop in temperatures has to do with high pressure developing over Greenland and pushing arctic air down to the central United States. The bottom line is that wind chills in Springfield could fall below zero around Christmastime, and that can be dangerous. Hatch said to wear layers and limit your time outside when the freezing temperatures arrive.

"If you’re outside and wind chills get that cold, you could potentially have frostbite or hypothermia could occur if you’re not dressed properly," Hatch said.

As for the potential of having a "White Christmas" in Springfield with snow on the ground or falling on Christmas day, Hatch said don't count on it.

Springfield's last white Christmas was in 2010, and the city has averaged about one white Christmas every 10 years going back to the 1950s, Hatch said. This year, early indicators are not pointing to snowfall.

"At this point, confidence is pretty low for that," Hatch said.

More:Coldest day ever in Springfield brought town to a standstill

Crisis cold weather shelters available

For people experiencing homelessness, Springfield's crisis cold weather shelters open Nov. 1 through March 31 when overnight temperatures are 32 degrees or below for four consecutive hours between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Through the end of this year, six crisis cold weather shelters are open, providing up to 230 beds:

• East Sunshine Church of Christ, capacity of 50 men at 3721 E. Sunshine St.

• Grace United Methodist Church, capacity of 25 women at 600 S. Jefferson Ave.

• Asbury United Methodist Church, capacity of 33 individuals with pets at 1500 S. Campbell Ave.

• Unity of Springfield, capacity of 25 individuals at 2214 E Seminole St.

• Revive 66 Campground, capacity of 50 individuals with pets at 3839 W. Chestnut Expressway

• Sacred Heart Catholic Church, capacity of 25 men at 1609 N. Summit Ave.

Starting Jan. 1, Salvation Army Harbor House, located at 636 Boonville Ave., will provide an additional 20 beds. Overflow crisis cold weather shelters include Eden Village at 2801 E. Division St. and The Venues at 425 W. Walnut St. The Connecting Grounds can also offer shelter for up to four families with children.

Michelle Garand with Community Partnership of the Ozarks said the crisis cold weather shelter infrastructure is reliant on volunteers, and there are not enough as this busy time in the calendar approaches.

"We really do need as many people to draw from as we can," Garand said.

The Community Partnership of the Ozarks offers an introductory video for folks who are interested in volunteering at a crisis cold weather shelter, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=uv0k0sLr72I.

After watching the video, folks may complete the crisis cold weather shelter volunteer interest form at bit.ly/3DkSqsA. This form is shared by all shelter sites to determine where volunteers would be best matched up with. Prior to one's first volunteer shift, site-specific training is held.

Overnight shelter monitors are needed from about 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. to check guests in and out. Overnight volunteers are always paired with another, so they can sleep for a portion of the night. It's common for overnight shelter monitors to work two shifts a month.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: White Christmas unlikely in Springfield, but bitter cold expected