By RYAN SKAITH
Iowans dreaming of a white Christmas will likely see landscapes of brown and faded green this year, according to the National Weather Service.
Despite significant snowfall across the state in recent weeks, meteorologists say a warming trend and incoming rain will likely strip the ground bare before Dec. 25.
Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing and into the 40s. Combined with a forecast for rain, the existing snowpack is expected to melt quickly. While flurries are possible Thursday, little to no accumulation is expected.
The outlook follows a period of unusually heavy winter weather for the region. Des Moines has recorded 18 inches of snow over the past month, already surpassing the total snowfall from the entire previous season. Fort Dodge has seen the state’s heaviest accumulations, with 33 inches since Thanksgiving.
However, the long-range forecast suggests the trend of slightly above-seasonal temperatures will continue through the holiday.
