HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Will people in Christian County be spending Christmas Day snuggled up in front of a roaring fire, or in shorts and a t-shirt hanging out outdoors? With schools closing as snow already teased the area earlier this month, National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist Christine Wielgos shared her take on what to expect.
When asked if Hopkinsville had any chance of a white Christmas this year, she simply said, “No. Not at all.”
While temperatures are expected to drop the weekend leading up to Christmas following heavy rain and storms, it will warm back up with highs in the low 60s predicted for Christmas as of Dec. 16. Wielgos said there is no indication of snow making an appearance over the holiday break.
While these fall-like temperatures may not create the picture-perfect holiday people are envisioning, Wielgos thinks everyone should look on the bright side, “Just think about family members having to drive, and all the people that are traveling trying to get to their loved ones,” she told Christian County Now. “Temperatures are warm, but you don’t have to worry about accidents caused by ice and snow…to me that’s the heartwarming part of this.”
Past Christian County winters
With the first day of winter not until Dec. 21, Wielgos clarified that this area of the country typically does not see significant snow or ice possibilities until January or February. This being said, unexpected snow events caused by cold fronts have occurred in the past.
Looking back at previous years, NWS data showed that in December 2023 in the nearby city of Elkton, Kentucky, the high on Christmas Day was 65 degrees. However, in 2022 the area saw a high of 18 degrees, and got as low as four degrees on Christmas Eve.
According to Wielgos, typical temperatures for this time of year are in the 40s and 50s so it can range quite a bit, “I think it’s just one of those things where we are at the mercy of the patterns that are set up,” said Wielgos.
An early December freeze has already impacted Christian County this year as a dusting of snow and ice on the roadways caused schools to close. Last winter, the area did not see a significant winter weather event until mid-January at the beginning of 2024. Kentucky Govenor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency at the time due to winter storms with high winds, heavy rain and severe temperature decreases.
Snow days for students
Decisions for school closures are determined by conditions throughout the entire county and will be relayed by 5 a.m. on school days by recommendation of the transportation director, superintendent, and weather team. Due to snow and ice at the beginning of 2024, Christian County Public Schools ended up using traditional snow days along with NTI days where students are required to report remotely.
The CCPS website explains that on these Non-Traditional Instruction days, students are expected to complete assignments and teachers have to be made available. These adjusted days act as a means to provide instruction so that make-up days are not added to the calendar. Whether a traditional snow day or NTI day is used will be communicated to families and guardians through the Infinite Campus Messenger system via call, email, and text.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: Click here for Christian County’s weather forecast and live radar.