We're less than 10 days away from Christmas Day, so forecasters are predicting whether there will be snow on the big holiday.
Unfortunately, for fans of a white Christmas, AccuWeather Meteorologist Paul Pasteluk warns that a “green Christmas” could be a common sight instead come sunrise on Monday, December 25.
Meteorologists at Weather.com agree, noting, “The weather pattern heading into Christmas suggests that warmer-than-average temperatures and drier conditions across the northern tier may limit snow on the ground on Christmas morning.” .
In fact, the west-to-east flow of Pacific air across the country will put a lid on the possibility of Arctic air creeping in or widespread snowfall in the week before Christmas, potentially diminishing the odds of a white Christmas for many, Bell said. Digger. AccuWeather Meteorologist.
Where will the white Christmas be?
Weather.com meteorologists said the best chances for a white Christmas are for people who live in the higher elevations of the West.
There is also a chance of a white Christmas near the Canadian border from North Dakota to Maine, as well as in the mountains of West Virginia.
What is white Christmas?
The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having one inch of snow on the ground on the morning of December 25.
It doesn't have to snow on Dec. 25 to fit the weather service's definition of a white Christmas, but a few flurries are sure to help get people into the holiday spirit.
This year, as of Dec. 15, only 18% of the contiguous United States is covered in snow, the lowest percentage since 2006, according to the National Weather Service. At this time last year, the country was 42% covered in snow.
What are the typical possibilities for a white Christmas?
About 40% of the 48 contiguous states are typically covered in snow by Christmas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said there are parts of the United States where weather history suggests you'll want to be there if you're looking for the best chance of a white Christmas: Head north to states or regions like Minnesota, Maine, upstate New York, or United State. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Heading west is also a good idea, NOAA reports. “Practically anywhere in Idaho. And of course, the Rocky Mountains or the Sierra Nevada.”
Some of the largest cities with the best probability of a white Christmas, based on historical averages, include Minneapolis, Green Bay, Buffalo and Burlington, Vermont, according to AccuWeather.
But this year, all of those cities could be snow-free, or nearly so. As of Dec. 15, of those four cities, only Burlington had seen measurable snow on the ground, and that was a measly 2 inches, the weather service said.
Blame it on Bing?
The United States' fascination with White Christmas dates back to 1942, when Bing Crosby first sang the sad song in the movie Holiday Inn. The song's lyrics, written by Irving Berlin, feature a romantic image of Christmases past, “just like the ones I used to know.”
“White Christmas”, another film featuring Crosby and the song, was released in 1954.
