Snow forecast: Will Southeast Michigan have a white Christmas?

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Heading into Christmas Day, temperatures will rise above freezing, and no precipitation is expected. But could we still have a white Christmas? 

Derek Kevra breaks down the chances:

Monday snow forecast

Light snow last Friday and freezing temperatures over the weekend have kept the snow from melting. Most areas currently have a coating of snow on grassy surfaces, with a bit more expected in the next 24 hours. 

A winter system is approaching, bringing a mix of sleet and freezing rain to southeast Michigan between noon and 5 p.m. Monday. By dinner time, this will likely transition to snow, adding about 0.5 to 1 inch south of Macomb, Oakland, and Livingston counties. 

Farther north, in northern Oakland and Macomb counties, snow will last longer with higher rates, resulting in 1 to 3 inches. Areas north of Flint could see 2 to 5 inches.

Will it be a white Christmas?

Overnight, temperatures will drop to around 32°, teetering on the edge of melting and freezing. 

Christmas Eve will stay dry, with highs reaching 37° in the afternoon. We’ll likely see about 12 hours of above-freezing temperatures, raising the question: will the snow on the ground melt in time for Christmas morning?

It’s going to be close. We’ll probably have some patches of snow left on the grass, but it’s unlikely to meet the National Weather Service’s definition of a white Christmas (1 inch or more of snow). 

So, while some snow may linger, it won’t quite be the classic white Christmas many are hoping for.

For the latest forecast, live radar, and more, download the FOX 2 Weather app.

Watch FOX 2 News Live