Binghamton Christmas Eve Warmer Than July 4th?

Frosty will just have to wait.  Christmas Eve day in Binghamton could be warmer than July 4th.  It's true!  'Muggy' may be the word you use when you are finishing up your Christmas shopping or starting your Christmas Eve celebrations.

So why so warm for Christmas?  According to our chief meteorologist Howard Manges at WBNG-TV, "an unsettled and mild weather pattern is taking shape in the eastern United States for this week. Several upper level atmospheric disturbances will move across the country and into the northeast and this will bring frequent bouts of rain to us through the upcoming weekend."

Christmas Eve will be warm and spring-like. Highs will climb into the mid 60s and some warmer valleys could possibly hit 70. Higher elevations will stay in the low to mid 60's but Howard warns it could feel a bit muggy! The chance of rain is 40% through midday and a thunderstorm can not be ruled out. The record high is 51 degrees. Interestingly, if we hit the forecast high of 66 on Christmas Eve, this would actually be higher than the observed high temperature of 65 on July 4th!

Brief high pressure will try to settle in for Christmas Day and it looks dry highs around 50. As we move into the upcoming weekend a stationary front will be set up in the vicinity of our region. This is going to keep a high chance of rain in the forecast. The rain could be steady at times as well. There is some uncertainty as to exactly how much rain falls and where the axis of the heaviest rain falls. It appears that we could see as little as 0.50” to as much as 2” or more locally by Sunday night. Monitor the forecast for any changes. Highs will likely remain in the mid and upper 40s; some 15 degrees above average.

Next week will start cooler with highs in the upper 30s Monday under filtered sunshine. We may get back to around 40 Tuesday and Wednesday but we could see some mixed showers Tuesday transitioning to a chance of sleet/freezing rain showers Wednesday.