6 AM MST, Friday, December 21, 2018

The winter solstice occurs today at 3:23 PM MST, but it won’t feel a lot like winter. Today should feature above-average temperatures with some gusty chinook wind at times.

Christmas weekend

Some minor snowfall is expected for the mountains tonight into early Saturday. For the eastern foothills and plains some clouds and localized light snow might occur Saturday morning. Most areas will probably stay dry, and where it does snow it would be minor. Cooler temperatures, more typical of this time of year, are expected Saturday and Sunday.

Other than that small chance for light snow or flurries Saturday morning, dry weather is likely through Christmas morning for the eastern foothills and plains, along with slightly milder temperatures by Christmas Eve. There may be some minor snowfall again in the mountains and high passes on Christmas Eve. The next storm system that may bring widespread snow across the region is due late on Christmas Day or overnight.

Wintry weather pattern by Wednesday

A switch to colder than average weather is likely to begin late Tuesday (Christmas Day) or early Wednesday and last until the next weekend. It look like clouds and snow may usher in that cold period by Wednesday morning (possibly as early as Tuesday afternoon). The magnitude and timing of the snow will need to be updated as we get closer. For now, be prepared for some wintry travel after Christmas, but generally good travel weather in the local region before Christmas.