With Christmas Eve and the start of Hanukkah on the same night this year, many of you will likely be doing some traveling in the coming days.  As early as this afternoon, the holiday travel period begins.   Airports are more crowded and the roads will have more traffic.  The weather becomes increasingly important during these times.

The good news for us in New England is that the weather this year will mainly cooperate over the next five days with some minor issues, but none of them so large as to have a big impact on travel.

If you’re hitting the roads this weekend…

Dry weather today is followed by some rain and snow on Saturday with a return to dry and seasonably mild weather for Christmas.  The chart below gives you an idea of when to expect even minor issues on the roads.

Some snow Christmas Eve Day may bring slick travel especially away from the coast

Some snow Christmas Eve Day may bring slick travel especially away from the coast

If you’re going skiing…

Cold weather and natural snow has brought an early start to ski season across much of northern New England.  While I don’t see any big storms on the horizon, cold air and some light snow will keep conditions good through the weekend.  A system may bring an inch or two Saturday.  There may be some light snow or perhaps a mix on Monday.

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If you’re hiking or walking or running…

Saturday has snow and rain showers in the forecast, but Christmas is picture perfect with sunshine and pleasant temperatures for late December.

Tranquil weather is the rule for Christmas day with stormy weather out west.

Tranquil weather is the rule for Christmas day with stormy weather out west.

If you’re running errands and holiday shopping…

Saturday is the final day before Christmas to do some shopping. It looks cloudy with snow showers or even some rain showers at the coast developing.   Most things are closed Sunday for Christmas.

If you’re going to the Patriots Game…

Tailgating and game weather will a bit wet for Saturday’s 1 p.m game.  Look for showers or a steady rain possible for tailgating.  It should wind down during the first half of the game.

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If you’re playing any field games or winter golf…

Bare ground has returned to many areas along the coast south of Portland and Sunday (Christmas Day) will be a good one for golfing by December standards, you might need to head into Massachusetts to find a course open, however.   Clouds and some rain showers Saturday put that day low on the favorability scale.

I will be updating the forecast on Twitter @growingwisdom throughout the weekend.

 


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