Colleen Bready's forecast: How conditions are shaping up for Santa's flight

It’s Christmas Eve and Santa Claus is comin’ to town.

Mild conditions across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario should make for a smooth flight for Santa and his reindeer tonight. They will just have to watch out for fog patches overnight across the south.

Santa, Rudolph, and the gang aren’t the only ones soaring as temperatures will rise well above normal on Tuesday.

Most regions across the north will climb to highs of -3 C or -4 C today, while the south, including Winnipeg, is forecast to reach -1 C. That will make last-minute shoppers happy to hear as they scurry from store to store.

Much of the eastern half of the province will be on the cloudier side this afternoon, while the sun will shine on western Manitoba.

Further east, flurries could fly this afternoon around Kenora. There is also the risk of freezing drizzle. Temperatures are also mild across northwestern Ontario, with forecast highs today between -3 C and -5 C.

Ahead tonight, most areas in both provinces will be cloudy and mild with single-digit overnight lows.

Churchill and Gillam will see skies clear overnight, while snow is possible for Santa’s arrival in Tadoule Lake.

Whether you’re on the naughty or nice list, expect a cloudy Christmas in Winnipeg with a forecast high tomorrow of -1 C.

Mild conditions will continue on Boxing Day on Thursday through Saturday in the city.