In today’s post and final one of the week, I thought it would be appropriate to take a first in-depth look at the weather for Christmas week when 100 million are expected to hit the roads.

In recent times, a strong Atlantic high positioned just off New England has helped deflect a very active Pacific storm cycle north prior to reaching the Northeast hence all the warmer weather and lack of snow.

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This weekend sees a temporary deflation of the Atlantic high which allows a sharp cold blast through the Great Lakes and Northeast this weekend but as next week wears on, the Atlantic high re strengthens.

GFS 500mb height anomaly tomorrow. Note just off New England!

Look at the flip by Wednesday.

Through next week, while snowfall and snow cover will be a big factor along with cold temperatures over much of the West, if you live east of the Mississippi (except to the lee of the Lakes or far northern New England), forget about a white Christmas. This year we’re talking warm and wet.

That’s despite this weekend’s cold shot with lake-effect snow.

Here’s a snapshot off AccuWeather for mid next week.

Significant rain storm coming up mid next week as many travel by road, rail and air.

GFS surface shows the systems piling into the West and crossing the country with one creating a decent rain storm up the East Coast mid week.

See this morning’s video for the discussion.

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