Bolaris: No snow yet, but chilly weather ahead for New Year's celebrations

There have been many long range winter outlooks for the 2014-2015 season — including mine — that called for a well above average snow total.

I was forecasting as much as 30 to 40 inches by the time this winter was put to bed. Others were going as high as 50 inches of the white stuff.

Granted, coming off the winter of 2013-2014, where the city had the second snowiest winter of all-time (falling just shy of 70 inches), 30 to 40 inches would basically cut last year's total in half.

As we stand now for the month of December, we have picked up nothing more than a trace of snow, whereas last year we were off to the races with 11.2 inches of snow for the month. And who could forget the freaky South Philly blizzard on Dec. 8, 2013 as LeSean "Shady" McCoy was running through what seemed like mountains of snow? More snow fell that day than the entire winter before.

But back to this winter: We are still early in the seasonal weather ballgame as winter officially arrived one week ago. Yet as I look into the long-range trends, some of the key snow-producing ingredients have been missing and still show no major signs of returning over the next couple of weeks.

I see a couple important trends happening around Jan. 7-9, so look then for more frigid air with an increase in potential storm development. At this moment, however, I don't see anything of major impact.

All that said, I'm holding steady with my long-range winter outlook. I will revisit it again around Jan. 15.

Forecast for New Year's Eve: Much colder temperatures, as the fireworks go off and the ball drops. Expect 28 degrees in the city at midnight and 24 in the surrounding suburbs.

Mummers' Parade on New Year's Day: Sun-filled, chilly 36 degrees.