By Marylee Williams

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Dreaming of a white Christmas? Keep on dreaming.

Christmas day temperatures in the Miss-Lou should be in the upper 50s, meteorologists say.

The last time Natchez residents saw snow on Christmas was in 2010, but even that didn’t qualify as a “white Christmas” with the experts.

Meteorologically speaking, a white Christmas occurs when an area has an inch or more of snow, Jackson National Weather Service meteorologist David Cox said. Based on the National Weather Service’s data, 1929 was the last time Natchez might have experienced a white Christmas because of a significant snowstorm in the area.

“The chances of (a white Christmas) happening here are very low, less than 10 percent,” Cox said.

According to predictions, temperatures this Christmas Eve and Christmas day will be slightly warmer than last year’s holiday temperatures.

On Christmas Eve, Natchez is expected to have temperature highs of approximately 55 degrees with an overnight low of approximately 37 degrees. Christmas day temperatures should be between 55 and 60 degrees.

Jackson National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Weber said on Christmas day residents can expect partly cloudy skies and winds from the south at five to 10 miles per hour.

Cox said the warmer temperatures on Christmas day are because of a storm system and cloud coverage moving in Friday.

“It’ll bring in warmer air and keep temperatures from falling as much,” Cox said.

Cox said Natchez residents could see some showers ahead of the holiday, on Tuesday, but the rain should be moving out that same evening.

Natchez’s record high on Christmas was 81 degrees in the 1940s. It’s coldest Christmas was 1983 with a record low of 8 degrees.