Some snow might be on the ground and in the air on Christmas morning, but anyone who insists on a Rockwellian scene outside while gathered around the tree should consider postponing their festivities until Wednesday.
"We are looking at a little bit of snow late (this) afternoon through the evening hours," said Rob Radzanowski, of the National Weather Service. "We're not forecasting anything in the way of precipitation Tuesday - anything we get will be late (this) afternoon through the later evening."
Freezing drizzle could mix with light snow in the early morning hours on Christmas Day, then give way to a partly sunny day.
Wednesday holds the greatest potential for snow this week. The National Weather Service forecasts a 90-percent chance of precipitation, with snow throughout the morning and a possible sleet mix in the afternoon.
"It looks like the potential's still there for several inches of snow Wednesday," Radzanowski said.
Anyone traveling south past the Sunbury-Selinsgrove area along the Susquehanna River on Wednesday might encounter rain rather than snow, Radzanowski said.
Temperatures will be seasonable this week - the run of autumnal days is at an end, for now.
Highs throughout the week are forecast to be in the low- to mid-30s, with mild winds between 5 and 10 mph.
The predicted high today is 34 degrees and Tuesday's is 36 degrees, with night-time lows dipping into the high teens.
On Thursday, there is a 50-percent chance of snow with a high of 29; Friday should be partly sunny with a high of 29; and there is a chance of snow on Saturday, with a high of 28.
