Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Midwest, and Southeast Face Unseasonably Humid and Record-Warm Christmas on December 25
UNITED STATES — A highly unusual Christmas Day weather pattern is setting up across large portions of the country, with unseasonably warm temperatures and elevated humidity levels expected across the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, parts of the Midwest, and much of the Southeast on December 25. Forecast data shows this could rank among the warmest and most humid Christmas Days on record for several states, a stark contrast to typical late-December conditions.
Meteorologists say the combination of persistent southerly flow, warm Gulf air, and limited cold air intrusion is responsible for the muggy holiday setup.
Warm and Humid Air Expands Far North for Christmas Day
Forecast humidity maps for December 25 show moderate to high humidity spreading well beyond the Gulf Coast, extending northward into areas that normally experience dry and cold winter air.
Regions most impacted include:
- Southern Plains (Texas and southern Oklahoma)
- Lower Mississippi Valley (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi)
- Midwest (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio)
- Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee)
In these areas, dew points are expected to be high enough to make conditions feel noticeably muggy, even during morning and evening hours.
“This will feel more like early spring than Christmas in many locations.”
Southeast and Gulf Coast See the Highest Humidity Levels
The highest humidity concentrations are forecast across Texas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and parts of Florida, where conditions may approach high to very high humidity categories.
Along the western Gulf Coast, especially in south Texas, humidity levels may be high enough that some residents could run air conditioning on Christmas Day, an extremely rare scenario for late December.
Key impacts in the Southeast include:
- Sticky outdoor conditions
- Reduced overnight cooling
- Fog potential during early morning hours
- A noticeable lack of winter chill
Midwest Experiences Rarely Humid Christmas Conditions
While the Midwest will not see extreme humidity, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri are expected to experience “some to moderate” humidity, which is highly unusual for Christmas.
These conditions will combine with above-average temperatures, making it feel far warmer than typical late-December standards.
“Humidity in the Midwest during Christmas is rare and a sign of how strong this warm air mass is.”
One of the Warmest Christmas Days in Years for Many States
In addition to humidity, temperatures are forecast to challenge or exceed long-standing Christmas Day records in parts of 18 states, particularly across the South and lower Midwest.
The warm air pattern also eliminates any chance of snow across most of the eastern half of the country, further reinforcing the non-winterlike holiday feel.
No White Christmas for the South This Year
Images comparing past events highlight how unusual this year’s setup is. Atlanta, for example, last experienced a memorable White Christmas in 2010, when snow covered much of northern Georgia.
This year, however:
- Snow chances are essentially zero
- Temperatures will be far above freezing
- Humidity will dominate the holiday forecast
“This Christmas will be remembered for warmth, not snow.”
What Happens After Christmas?
Forecast models suggest the warm and humid pattern may persist into late December, with only gradual cooling expected in some regions afterward. No major Arctic outbreaks are currently indicated for the immediate post-Christmas period.
Residents across the South and Midwest are encouraged to stay weather-aware, especially for fog, damp conditions, and rapid temperature swings heading into the final days of the year.
For continued weather updates, regional impacts, and detailed forecasts, stay connected with WaldronNews.com.