Anyone from most of the Upstate will need to travel a few hours north if they want to see a white Christmas.

Snow just isn’t going to be an issue for the Union County area this Dec. 24 nor Dec. 25, but there will be plenty of wet weather to accompany the holiday.

According to the National Weather Service forecast as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, clouds begin to move in overnight tonight and by Thursday — Christmas Eve — skies will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. The chance for soggy conditions increase as the day progresses, however, with an 80 percent chance of rain Thursday night just in time for Santa and his reindeer to need raincoats.

The wet weather looks like it will stick around through Christmas Day with a 70 percent chance of rain but by Friday night the rain should be clearing out, leaving behind mostly cloudy conditions.

At least Santa Claus will have a mild Christmas Eve trip.

Temperatures for the night of his flight are expected to be in the upper 30s near the 40-degree mark. So a cup of hot cocoa or warm milk with all the cookies and treats children plan to leave the Jolly Old Elf should warm him right up.

Holiday Closings:

• Carlisle Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 28. The town hall will reopen at regular time Tuesday, Dec. 29.

• Jonesville Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24-25 and will reopen at regular time Monday, Dec. 28.

• Lockhart Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24-25 for Christmas. In case of an emergency involving a water or sewer line break contact Mayor Ailene Ashe at 545-6824 or Hugh Gregory at 251-4000. The town hall will reopen 9 a.m. Dec. 28.

• Union City Hall will be closed Dec. 24-25 and reopen for regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 28. There also will be no change in trash pick up due to the holiday.

• Union County Courthouse and offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 28. They will reopen at regular time Tuesday, Dec. 29. All Union County recycling centers also will be closed Dec. 24-25 and reopened at their regularly scheduled times on Saturday, Dec. 26.

• United States Post Office locations in Union County all will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Post offices will, however, be open Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, but could close early that day. Check with your local post office on the hours of retail operations for Christmas Eve.

• Whitmire Town Hall closed for the Christmas holiday Tuesday, Dec. 22, and will remain closed for Dec. 23-25. The town hall will reopen for business at regular time on Dec. 28. Street crews will have Thursday and Friday off and a special double trash pick up will be done Monday.

SPECIAL NOTE: The last day for Union County School District students and staff before the 2009-10 winter break was Friday, Dec. 18. Students will return to class Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. Teachers will have a staff development day on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.