Snow may be on the ground for Christmas after a system clips through southern Iowa tonight.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect in Marion County from midnight through noon on Christmas Eve. Warren, Mahaska, Monroe, and Lucas Counties are also all under the advisory.

According to the National Weather Service, 1-3″ of snow is possible throughout the southern third of the state, with higher amounts possible the closer someone is to the Iowa-Missouri border.

In any given year, there is a 40-50% chance of at least an inch of snow on the ground for Christmas morning. The National Weather Service defines a “White Christmas” as at least one inch of snow on the ground at any point during December 25th.

After tonight’s snow, an arctic blast of air will bring colder conditions to the entire state, with daytime highs in the teens and low 20s, with wind chills below zero during the overnight and morning hours beginning Christmas morning and continuing through Thursday.

Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS for the latest weather information.