White Christmas Forecast for 2024: Snow Expected in Select U.S. Regions

December 20, 2024 – With Christmas just around the corner, the forecast for a white Christmas in 2024 across the United States shows a mix of potential snow and more temperate conditions. According to various weather sources, here’s what you can expect:

Northeast and Great Lakes:
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Minnesota, and parts of North Dakota are likely to see a white Christmas, with forecasts suggesting there could be at least an inch of snow on the ground by Christmas morning. Similarly, northern New England, including areas like Maine, has a good chance of experiencing snow on the holiday.
However, the chances diminish as you move southward through the Northeast, with cities like Virginia seeing lower probabilities unless a last-minute storm changes the scenario.

Western United States:
The higher elevations of the West, specifically the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada mountains, are expected to maintain their snow cover through Christmas, offering a classic winter scene for holiday celebrations.
Areas in Idaho, along with parts of northern California and the Pacific Northwest, might see “heavy precipitation and high elevation snow” on Christmas Eve, extending into the days following Christmas, suggesting a snowy landscape for those regions.

Midwest and Northern Plains:
While the northern Plains have some potential for a white Christmas, the rest of the Midwest seems less likely, with the forecast indicating more of a green than white Christmas unless new storms introduce snow just before the holiday.

South and Southeast:
The southern and southeastern parts of the U.S. are predicted to have a snow-free Christmas, consistent with historical data where white Christmases in these regions are rare. Even the high plains see only the northernmost areas with a possibility.

General Overview:
The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on the morning of December 25th. This year, it appears that while some areas are set for a traditional snowy holiday, the majority of the U.S. will likely see more rain or no precipitation at all on Christmas Day.

While these forecasts provide a snapshot close to the holiday, weather can be unpredictable, and last-minute changes might alter the white Christmas prospects. For those dreaming of a snowy Christmas, the northern states and mountainous regions hold the most promise this year. However, for others, a different kind of holiday charm might be found in the milder, snow-free conditions.