Entrance Channel Live Cam

• Osprey Private Beach on the Bay Tide Entrance Channel Fuel Dock Marina

Advertisement

December In The Southeast

The lull this region enjoyed in the fall after the tropical season waned is usually over in December. Though many fine bright winter days are likely, this region sees a big increase in precipitation in December. This is due to the activation of the southern storm tracks. Storms can move across the Gulf States from Texas or even develop further south in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy 1 to 2 inch rains can occur and occasionally when cold air is entrenched even snow or ice.

The southern areas are vulnerable to frosts and freezes. In Florida, eyes throughout the southern growing areas stay tuned on the weather forecasts.

December In The Southern Plains

Like the southeast, the lull this region enjoyed in the fall after the tropical season waned is usually over in December. Though many fine bright winter days are likely, this region sees a big increase in precipitation in December. This is due to the activation of the southern storm tracks. Storms can move across the Gulf states from Texas or even develop further south in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy 1 to 2 inch rains often occur and occasionally when cold air is entrenched even snow or ice.

December In The Central And Southern Plains States

This area is in its winter dry season mode. Most of the precipitation occurs with storms developing in the western plains. Usually these systems are starved for tropical moisture until they pass to the east of this region and produce mostly moderate amounts. Occasionally the air can be cold enough to mean snow or ice instead of rain.

In between these systems, relatively long spells of dry weather can take place. Occasionally, cold polar air masses can flow south through the Plains to bring very cold temperatures down to the Gulf and Mexican border.

December In The Dry Southwest

This region enjoys some of the finest weather in the lower 48 in December. Nights are cool to cold but days when the sun shines (which is most of the time) can be pleasant. This is why this is one of the most popular travel spots in the winter and one of the nation's fastest growing retirement area.

When troughs enter the west coast and move on a southern track, rains and mountain snows are experienced. The snows in the mountains can be very heavy.

December In The Southern Rockies

This region can have some of the best and some of the worst of the nations weather in December.

When ridges build aloft over the area (often the same time as the snow flies in the east), the weather can be characterized by deep blue skies and brilliant sunshine, cold night and mild days. When the troughs settle in the west (and the conditions moderate further east), this region can be hit by very heavy mountain snows with snows are measured in feet rather than inches.

When cold air descends into the plains and the surface winds are from the east, the heavy snows can fall in the eastern plains and foothills.

December In The Southwest

In a normal year, California's wet season is well underway in December. The storms occur in families with heavy precipitation occurring especially in the northern and mountain areas. Even dry southern areas can get into the swing of things in some storms in most years. Heavy rains in the lower coastal and valley locations give way to very heavy snows in the mountains. The snow there from even a moderate Pacific storm is often measured in feet.

In a wet year, when the soils become saturated, mudslides and flooding can become a serious problem.

After these stormy spells, periods of pleasant even warm winter weather are common. When the Great Basin high builds, the Santa Ana winds can blow bringing warm, dry weather to southern and sometimes central areas.

In drought years, these dry periods predominate and most storms stay well to the north. Since the area depends on the meltwaters from the mountain snows for water for drinking and irrigration, this can pose serious problems for many months to come. The dryness in these years makes the threat of summer fires even worse.

December In The Pacific Northwest

December is the wettest, stormiest month in the northwest. Seattle, WA has precipitation on 2 out of every 3 days during the month. These Pacific storms can pummel the area with powerful winds too, especially near the coast. The storms usually bring rain to the lower elevations because of the modifying effect by the Pacific on the low-level air. Over the mountains, the precipitation falls mainly as snows. The region holds the records for the most seasonal snows and deepest snowcover. East of the Cascades and coastal ranges, interior areas have less cloudiness and precipitation.

Occasionally, cold air masses descend on the region from the east and north. Temperatures drop below freezing even to the coast and snows can occur. Seattle, WA and Portland, OR get their snows in this way.

December In The Northern Rockies

This region can have some of the best and some of the worst of the nations weather in December.

When ridges build aloft over the area (often the same time as the snow flies in the east), the weather can be characterized by deep blue skies and brilliant sunshine, cold night and mild days. When the troughs settle in the west (and the conditions moderate further east), this region can be hit by very heavy mountain snows with snows are measured in feet rather than inches.

When cold air descends into the plains and the surface winds are from the east, the heavy snows can fall in the eastern plains and foothills.

December In The Northern Plains

This area is usually deep into winter in December. When arctic air invades, temperatures can drop well below zero. The air is very dry as well as cold and precipitation is minimal. Most system pass to the south. Alberta lows can clip the region with quick hits of light snows and strong winds. The winds can whip the snow into blizzard conditions.