Christmas Eve storm could bring strong storms.

Most people are wishing for a white Christmas, but that’s not happening in 2014. What is more of a concern is the strong storm potential for Christmas eve. Though it would appear most of the western Carolinas might escape this threat thanks to cool damp air around here, but it’s going to be a close call. 

The Set-up:

Strong low-pressure forms Tuesday into Wednesday with a strong trailing cold front. So Wednesday starts off very wet. The issue you always have this time of year for severe weather is how much CAPE/Instability will you get. Basically, how warm will it be?

So there is a narrow window fo potential severe storms especially east of I-77 Wednesday afternoon and evening 1pm-7pm. Even with the lack of CAPE or instability the amount of wind shear is off the charts. So any storms that can grow in height, even low topped storms will have a damaging straight line wind potential. Low topped storms are storms with little or no lightning and not very tall, less than 25k’ in height. There even could be an isolated tornado threat in eastern NC and parts of SC. The Storm Prediction center keeps the severe threat confined to areas south of our area and along the coast. Though it wouldn’t take much for it to creep north and east a bit.

Christmas Day:

Things will improve dramatically overnight Christmas Eve into Christmas morning. The rain moves out and the cold air moves in. The front will be moving through while we sleep and while Santa is delivering presents. Temperatures will be falling Christmas morning and most people will go to bed with warmer temperatures than what we see all day Christmas.

By the time, we wake up Christmas morning temperatures will be falling and the wind will be howling out of the northwest. There will even be some snow in the mountains Christmas day.