Could Charlotte Metro Actually See Snow Christmas Day?

CHARLOTTE, NC — Some holiday weather wishes might be granted this year. The Charlotte metro could — and that last word needs to be thoroughly emphasized — possibly have a white Christmas this year after all, according to some early forecasts.

Admittedly, the notion of snow falling on Christmas Day in the Piedmont of North Carolina seems pretty farfetched, but as we all are aware by now, 2020 is not a normal year.

A midweek storm brewing Christmas week will likely dump snow on much of the northeast, with at least some snow all but certain in western North Carolina, forecasters said Friday.

"This storm will produce rain Christmas Eve along the east coast, but as much colder air comes in on the backside, we're going to be looking for some snow," AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok said Friday.

According to Accuweather, the mountains of North Carolina will likely have snow accumulation Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.

Would that mean flakes for the Charlotte metro?

As of Dec. 18, the snow storm wasn't expected to make it to the Interstate 95 corridor, "but things could change," Pastelok said.

The Weather Channel offered more optimism for the Queen City. In its extended forecast offered Friday, the Weather Channel said Christmas Eve rain in the Charlotte metro would turn into snow showers by Christmas morning.

In our area, however, it is probably best to temper expectations.

"Keep in mind here, the technical definition of a 'white Christmas' is one inch of snow on the ground or more," The Weather Channel meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said.

Here's what the National Weather Service said to expect in the week ahead:

Tonight (Dec. 18)
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Light northeast wind.
Saturday (Dec. 19)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday (Dec. 20)
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Monday (Dec. 21)
A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Tuesday (Dec. 22)
Sunny, with a high near 55.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Wednesday (Dec. 23)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday (Dec. 24)
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.