With Christmas only a few days away, many Americans may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but few will end up wandering around in a winter wonderland. Weather forecasts for Christmas week 2024 call for warm and above average temperatures across the continental US Precipitation In many parts of the country it does not fall as snow, but as rain.
Where is it most likely to snow on Christmas?
If you're looking for fluffy white flakes, some spots have a better chance than others.
This year, the only parts of the US likely to see a White Christmas will be in the Rocky Mountains and along the US border with Canada. It includes North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and some northern areas of Maine.
Weather forecast for holiday travel
For those who are trying Travel On Monday, the hardest hit areas will be in the upper Midwest and northern Rockies. Falling snow can be found in states such as Idaho, western Montana, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan. Interstate travel will be hazardous through portions of I-15, I-90, I-84, I-94 and I-75.
CBS News
Wintry weather conditions moved northeast from the Great Lakes region on Tuesday. Cold air brings up to half a foot of snow to the interior Northeast.
Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will bring rain showers to the Mississippi Valley. To the west, the next atmospheric river will bring rain to lower elevations, as well as snow in the Cascade Mountains. Hazardous interstate travel conditions will be found on I-5, I-90, I-94, I-80, I-81 and even parts of I-95 up to the East Coast.
CBS News
Snowfall forecast map for Christmas Day 2024
On Wednesday, Christmas Day, many places won't be seeing fresh picture-book holiday snowfall.
Definition of “White Christmas” by National Weather Service There is at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning. The only areas that meet that qualification on Christmas Day this year will be in the Rockies and along the US-Canada border.
Moisture from the atmospheric river in the west will move into the Rockies and bring light snow to higher elevations.
CBS News
Elsewhere, rain showers persist across the Mississippi Valley, leading to a wet Christmas Day. Temperatures are expected to remain well above the freezing mark in most places, which means it will mainly rain. Christmas travel disruptions can be found on Interstate 40, I-55, I-40, I-70, I-80 and I-90.
The next round of weather will move to the northwest on Thursday. Rain can be expected at lower elevations along I-5, while in the interior northwest. Heavy snowfall is forecast in the Cascades and lower Sierra Nevada mountains. Intermittent rain showers continue across the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest.
Are white Christmases becoming rare?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tracked snowfall data across the US for years, and They say There have been some notable changes in the last four decades, which are “in line with reality”. prolonged warming,
When comparing the average probability of christmas snowfall From the period 1981-2010 to 1991-2020, NOAA says, “the probability of a White Christmas in more areas decreased than increased.”
The NOAA map below shows the areas with the highest historical probability of seeing a white Christmas. Areas shaded in light blue have a higher than average probability, while northern and mountainous locations marked in white have historically been so. there was snow At least 90% of the time at Christmas.
NOAA/Climate.gov
You can explore an interactive version of the map Here on NOAA's website,