A White Christmas Eve in Beaumont and Banning? There's A (Slight) Chance!

BEAUMONT, CA – For anyone that's grown up in Southern California, the idea of a "white Christmas" is often a pipe dream, unless you are willing to travel. This year, though, for those living in the San Gorgonio Pass, there's a slight chance they may see some snowfall on Christmas Eve.

According to the National Weather Service, the second of two passing winter storms will slam the region beginning Friday night and all through Saturday. Widespread rain and winds are predicted, along with heavy snowfall in the mountain ranges.

"Travel conditions on Saturday over the mountains could deteriorate rapidly and become treacherous!" a a National Weather Service alert states. "Christmas Day will be very cool but dry, and then slightly milder by Monday."

The National Weather Service website indicated on Thursday that there was a 40 percent chance of rain and snow come Saturday night in Beaumont and Banning:

Today
Showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night
Rain, mainly after 10pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 42. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Saturday
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 10am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 46. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers before 10pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Christmas Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36

NWS Meteorologist Tina Stall tells Patch that though snow won't actually accumulate in the Pass, there's a slight chance it may fall– even if it's a bit wet.

She says "significant amounts" of snow will accumulate in nearby places like Oak Glen that are higher than 4,000-4,500 feet.

Would you be excited if snow fell in the area this holiday weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

Image by Phil Roeder via Flickr Creative Commons