The National Weather Service is holding out some hope for a nice fresh layer of snow to blanket the North Country for Christmas.

Such an event would have good and bad consequences. A "white Christmas" appeals to sentiment and nostalgia, and it would be a boon to winter sports enthusiasts and businesses who have been waiting for a good snowfall, but of course it could complicate travel plans for those of us who will be on the road or in the air this weekend.

The weather service says that temperatures will drop to below freezing as light snow will begin to develop over the region this evening. The forecasters tell us that low pressure moving up from the south will track just south of New England overnight, and snow will move in from the south, overspreading the entire North Country by midnight. Perhaps an inch of snow will fall in the St. Lawrence Valley, and up to three inches are possible over southern areas of St. Lawrence County with higher elevations.

Snow will taper to snow showers from west to east Friday morning before ending. A dusting to an additional inch is possible Friday morning.

For up-to-date forecasts in your community, visit the NorthCountryNow.com Weather Page.

As we get into the weekend, temperatures generally will be at or above seasonal levels for late December, as has been the overall tendency the past six weeks, the NWS says, but still cool enough for snow if the clouds come our way. But the chance of snow gets only up to 40 percent by Christmas Day.

The forecast:

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Tonight: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind between 3 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. North wind between 3 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow showers. Increasing clouds, with a low around 9. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Christmas Day: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 28.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high near 31.