Warmer weather is on the horizon for the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area, which means less likelihood of a white Christmas. 

The National Weather Service is predicting daytime highs in the mid to upper 40s through the weekend, when the average highs for this time of the year are around 33-degrees. Weatherology Meteorologist Mike Karow explains the reason for the recent warm up.

“Looks like a ridge working in from the western U.S., especially later on this work week and even into the upcoming weekend, still looking pretty mild out there and dry conditions likewise as well. But again the main player in that change in the weather will be that large ridge of high pressure across the western U.S. will start to get closer to us, especially as we head later into this work week.”

As for those wishing for a white Christmas, Karow says that may not happen.

“Gonna be kind of hard to come by, even areas that have snow on the ground out there currently, I think we’ll see a good deal of melting going on the next few days. So again not the best for people who like the white Christmas but good for holiday travelers out there. We’re not expecting any major snow storms, or really any major storms of any type across the central portion of the country.”

The National Weather Service estimates the next chance of precipitation to be on Christmas Day.