I read the forecast pages and especially the discussions (AFDPQR) with interest, as we had plans to do some driving at Christmas. The forecast was firmly split into two camps: those with snow and those with ice and/or cold rain. Since neither is a good choice for travel we considered leaving sooner - but the forecast then crept backward so that Christmas Eve was no better. We finally decided to stay in place.
Even on the morning of Christmas Eve the two forecasts stayed in play! Either a low-pressure center would appear to our north and pull up warm south winds, or it would be to our south and keep the frigid east winds from Walla Walla in place. Suddenly the models really played dirty: we'd have Two lows with the southern one slightly stronger! Could that really be the answer? Satellite views showed a line of moisture approaching but no spin-up of low pressure anywhere to be found.
By midday a light frozen snow/sleet event began. A bit small for snow but crystalline, falling a bit too fast - and bouncing rather than sticking! That began to turn things white for a couple of hours but snow finally took over and ended late on the 24th at just over 1½ inches. The temperature never reached 31° by bedtime, so clearly it was on the ground for Christmas! Just to make certain that church services were unlikely a fine mist began to coat the snow with a slick cover.
We stayed inside all day and enjoyed the day as best we could. I believe this was only my second White Christmas in 60 years of life in the lower elevations on the Pacific NW!
Not the Christmas we planned, yet joy and peace in abundance.
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