Christmas Day snow forecast: Snow on Christmas weather forecast: Which states are most likely to see snow this holiday season
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What counts as a White Christmas?
A white Christmas officially requires at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25, according to AccuWeather. This total may include fresh snowfall on Christmas Day or leftover snow from previous storms. As forecasts tighten as the holiday approaches, meteorologists now expect fewer states to reach that threshold.
This updated outlook comes weeks after the Old Farmer’s Almanac initially predicted broader snow chances across the Plains, Texas, the Midwest, the Northeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. But warming trends have changed the picture since then, Newsweek reported.
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Which states are most likely to see snow?
AccuWeather’s revised forecast indicates a strong possibility of a white Christmas in many western, northern and northeastern states. These include California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
“Dreaming of a white Christmas? That’s a guarantee near the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes, but snowfall hopes in the central and eastern U.S. will depend on a storm moving in just before the holiday,” AccuWeather reported Thursday on X.
The central and northern Rocky Mountains remain the safest region. Higher elevations from Montana and Wyoming to Utah and Colorado are described as “hard-locked” for snow, with a 40-75% chance of snow in surrounding areas, Newsweek reported.
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Will high temperatures melt existing snow?
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is predicting a high likelihood of above-average temperatures across much of the country over Christmas. The Plains, South, and large parts of the Midwest are expected to be the warmest areas; Many of these areas also experience below-average rainfall.
AccuWeather’s long-range expert Paul Pastelok said the scale of the heat stands out. “It will be close to 70 o’clock in St. Louis on Christmas,” he told Newsweek. “There will be no snow anywhere near the St. Louis area.” He added that the snow currently on the ground in Springfield is also expected to disappear before the holidays.
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Although snow fell in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic from Dec. 13 to 14, Pastelok said melting is likely as temperatures rise in the days leading up to Christmas.
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Could a last-minute storm change things?
Some areas may still be watching the sky closely. Pastelok noted that snow could fall in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West regions on Christmas Day.
“All eyes will be on the storm on December 23-25,” he said. “The track could identify a late surge for some snow.”
AccuWeather also noted that states in the southern and central U.S., as well as some areas along the Northeast coast, are currently the least likely to have a white Christmas.
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What does the weather look like on holiday travel?
Weather conditions can make travel difficult, especially in the West. On Christmas Eve, heavy rain is expected across California, including the Los Angeles Basin, San Diego and the Bay Area, and flash flooding is possible near wildfire-burned areas. Hazardous travel conditions are expected from Interstate 80 to the Sierra Nevada, according to a report.
On Christmas Day, another Pacific storm could bring more heavy rain, strong winds and snow in the mountains to the West. Meanwhile, parts of the Midwest and Northeast could see light rain during the day, while northern parts of New York and colder parts of northern New England could see freezing rain, sleet or snow in the evening, The Weather Channel reports.
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FAQ
Which regions are the safest bets for a white Christmas?
Areas near the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes have the best chance.
Why are fewer states seeing snow this year?
Above-average temperatures are expected to melt existing snow across much of the United States.
