MD Holiday Weekend Weather Forecast: Will We See A White Christmas?

MARYLAND — Dreaming of a white Christmas in Maryland? It's a gift Mother Nature likely won't be giving us this year.

Thursday was the first day of winter, but rather than snowflakes and frigid temperatures, NoVA residents can expect a little bit of sunshine, a lot of clouds and mild conditions heading into and through the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

"Sunshine has a hard time dominating over clouds in the coming days, so try to enjoy (Friday's) rays," according to the Capital Weather Gang. "They may be in the brightest skies we see until maybe Monday."

The forecast spells good news for holiday travelers. In fact, most of the eastern third of the nation can expect dry conditions through much of Christmas Day. There is, however a chance of rain overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, and again on Christmas night.

Here's a look at this weekend's forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: A slight chance of rain before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night: A chance of rain after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Traveling Tuesday? According to the Capital Weather Gang, rainy conditions are possible, and the odds will increase throughout the say.

"A few spots of minor flooding could become possible late if rain turns heavier," according to the Capital Weather Gang's forecast. "We’ll keep an eye on this potential threat as it gets closer."

Only a few spots in the United States will likely see snow this Christmas. According to Accuweather, a massive storm will affect close to 1 million square miles of the nation's midsection with a 50/50 split between snow over the interior West and High Plains and rain over much of the Mississippi Valley through the holiday weekend.

As temperatures drop over the Rockies and northern High Plains, it will allow the storm to become an efficient snow producer, according to Accuweather.

For those heading on a cross-country road trip this weekend, motorists should expect wintry travel to develop as early as Friday night and Saturday along hundreds of miles of highways from northern New Mexico to the Dakotas.

Denver is the primary airport that may be adversely affected by the snowstorm from Saturday night to Sunday night. Expect delays and possible flight cancellations.