Merry Christmas! It should come as no surprise that today turned out to be the warmest Christmas on record. High temperatures soared into the upper 70s across the Ozarks under mostly sunny skies.
What was surprising, however, is that we have never experienced a single day in December hotter than today. The high of 77 degrees ties the record for the warmest temperature ever recorded during the month.
Thankfully, the warmth won’t disappear as Santa skips town. Record-breaking highs will linger into Friday and Saturday, with no major weather concerns expected.
A pattern change is on the way this weekend. Sunday will start off warm and cloudy before a cold front pushes through later in the day.
Temperatures will take a dramatic plunge. Watch out for a case of weather whiplash as 70-degree highs give way to freezing temperatures.
Along with the frontal passage, there will be a chance for showers on Sunday. Rain totals appear to be on the lighter side, though there is some uncertainty regarding exact amounts, as totals will largely depend on the timing of the front.
After Sunday, the pattern turns dry and cool. Temperatures will be stuck in the 20s for much of Monday before we slowly begin to recover heading into the New Year…