RECORD WARMTH POSSIBLE SUNDAY, THEN CHRISTMAS COLD

The strength of the warmth for this weekend will be bolstered by a high pressure cell that is typical of wintertime in the Southeast states. With a broad southwesterly flow, this high will flex its muscle, providing us with record-challenging warmth Sunday. At the same time, the high will keep precip at bay, especially near the coast through Sunday night, leading to a mostly dry weekend in and around NYC and Long Island.

Accuweather OLD map

Accuweather New Map

But the skies will remain cloud covered most of the weekend

Intellicast cloud cover

Intellicast Precip chances

Still, it will feel like a heat wave compared to the last week or so

Temps will return to normal levels for Christmas.

Intellicast Temps

The best chance of widespread rain is Sunday night, with lingering showers into Monday morning.

A prolonged stretch of cold weather is likely from Christmas to New Years' Day and beyond, as more cold air seeps in from Canada.

Snow threats will have to be monitored after the 25th.

Seasonal Snowfall
2013-14 Winter
As of 12/19/2013 / 4:30 PM

Worcester: 18.6"
Allentown: 13.1"
Hartford: 12.4"
Boston: 11.4"
Philadelphia Intl. Airport: 11.2"
Bridgeport / Sikorsky: 10.8"
Newark Airport: 9.4"
NYC Central Park: 8.6"
NYC LaGuardia: 7.8"
Providence: 7.1"
NYC JFK: 6.9"
Islip, NY: 6.7"
Washington Dulles: 4.7"
Atlantic City: 3.3"
Baltimore (BWI): 2.9"
Washington National: 1.5"