NORFOLK, Neb. -- As the holiday seasons are coming up, it is looking like most of the state is going to have a brown Christmas. Now, if you are wondering what qualifies as a white Christmas it usually, according to the National Weather Service, is an inch or more of snow. But fear not for those winter fans if you live on the west side of Nebraska, especially the panhandle, you might still see a little bit of snow this Christmas. 

“I really think instead of terms of a white Christmas, it may be a brown New Year,” said Morris Langworthy, meteorologist for News Channel Nebraska.  

For most of the state, you’re probably not going to see a lot of snow on the ground. That doesn’t mean that snow won’t appear in different parts of Nebraska just in time for Christmas. 

“Western Nebraska is going to feel that cold air first, temperatures have been riding a little cooler, at night for western Nebraska,” Langworthy said. “We're going to see more of the northern air coming across there. And that northern air is going to be colder. Eastern Nebraska is going to see more of a southerly flow. That air happens to be warmer, better chances of rain.” 

For areas in the state to expect snow, the border line cuts off of everything west of North Platte. If you’re wondering why some parts of the state get snow and some don’t, everything falls back on the current climate. 

“We're in an El Nino year right now,” Langworthy said. “Typically, what El Nino year means, especially in the winter months, it means mild and wet. So, we have plenty of opportunities for precipitation. But we're generally going to ride a little bit on the warm side."

Although warmer conditions have been present in most parts of the state, some areas may pull it off. 

“Some of us across western Nebraska may actually pull that off. Eastern Nebraska, it's gonna be really tough,” Langworthy said. 

As conditions are different all over the state, it's always important to stay safe over the holiday season.

“The big messages when hitting the roadways this holiday weekend. Slow down. Take your time, expect some delays, that wintry mix could cause some slick spots on roadways,” Langworthy said.  

No matter what sets the scene of your holiday season, it's always important to look rather inside than out.