Rain could curb holiday preperations

ALBANY — In preparation for the season of gift-getting and giving, present wrapping, busy kitchens, and decking the house in a swath of winter whimsy, time is of the essence. The window for preparation draws narrower by the day. Such is the tradition of the annual countdown to Christmas.

However, Mother Nature continues at her own timing.

On Monday, the National Weather Service forecast a winter storm rising out of the Gulf of Mexico that could put a damper on the week before Christmas. The storm is expected to make landfall as early as Wednesday evening and travel across much of the nation, pouring down rain and possible traces of snow throughout the regions of the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast.

Meteorologist Wright Dobbs of the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Fla., said Tuesday that, in relation to Georgia, the Southeast is estimated is to receive between 1 and 3 inches of rain with little to no snowfall.

Aside from possible flooding in regions surrounding elevated rivers, Wright said there is little chance of weather advisories. However, Faith Eherts, an AccuWeather meteorologist, warned commuters of the likelihood of “… airline delays and slowed and dangerous travel on the nation’s and region’s roads.”

“Standing water on roadways can cause hydroplaning at highway speeds, and visibility will be low in times of heavy rain,” Eherts said in a news release. “Those traveling on highways and interstates should pad their travel plans with extra time and drive with caution.”

Temperatures are also anticipated to decline over the weekend.

The weather is expected to begin to clear by Friday, and, as the the rainfall comes to an end, the holiday frenzy can begin once again in the three or four days remaining until Christmas.