In various regions of the United States, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are often accompanied by snowfall, creating a typical festive landscape. If you’re interested in knowing whether you’ll have a white Christmas in your area or if you’re planning to travel to a destination where snow is expected on December 25, it’s best to keep an eye on the weather forecast. While the weather can be unpredictable, historical patterns can help anticipate where snow might fall during the holiday season. However, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC), most of the U.S. is expected to experience a milder and calmer winter than usual, which could reduce the chances of a white Christmas in many areas.
Where will it snow in the U.S. this Christmas 2024?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has calculated the historical probability of at least one inch of snow falling in certain areas on December 25. Based on this data, states like Minnesota, Maine, northern New York, the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as much of Idaho, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada, are expected to have a higher likelihood of experiencing a white Christmas.
The weather map shows that regions shaded in gray have less than a 10% chance of seeing snow on Christmas. According to this map, residents in northern areas and higher elevation regions are more likely to see snow on the morning of December 25.
Although the mentioned areas historically have a higher chance of seeing at least one inch of snow, actual conditions can vary significantly. The current weather patterns will ultimately determine the snowfall on that day, which could make the weather less predictable than expected.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center (NWS) has forecasted with high confidence that temperatures across the U.S. will be above normal from December 15 to 21. This warmer weather does not favor snowfall, meaning many areas could experience a less snowy Christmas than usual.
Additionally, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has shared its forecast for Christmas Day 2024, indicating the likelihood of snow in various parts of the country, such as New England, the Appalachians, the Ohio Valley, and some parts of the Rocky Mountains, while other areas, like the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast, are not expected to have a white Christmas.
- New England: There is a possibility of a white Christmas in northern Maine.
- Atlantic Corridor: There will be no white Christmas.
- Appalachians: There will be no white Christmas.
- Southeast: There will be no white Christmas.
- Florida: There will be no white Christmas.
- Lower Great Lakes: There will be no white Christmas.
- Ohio Valley: There is a possibility of a white Christmas.
- South: There will be no white Christmas.
- Upper Midwest: There will be no white Christmas.
- Heartland: There will be a white Christmas.
- Texas–Oklahoma: There will be no white Christmas.
- High Plains: The northern part of the region may experience a white Christmas, while the southern part will see one.
- Intermountain Region: There is a possibility of a white Christmas.
- The Rocky Mountains will have a white Christmas, but northern Arizona will not.
- Southwest Desert: There will be no white Christmas.
- Pacific Northwest: There will be no white Christmas.
- Pacific Southwest: There will be no white Christmas.
- Alaska: There will be a white Christmas.
- Hawaii: There will be no white Christmas.