As December 25 approaches, many folks along the East Coast of the United States are wondering if they’ll wake up to a picturesque white Christmas. However, current forecasts suggest that the likelihood of snow on Christmas Day is minimal for much of the region.
Recent Snowfalls Unlikely to Persist
In the days leading up to Christmas, several East Coast cities have experienced snowfall. New York City recorded its first snowfall of the season on December 21, with accumulations up to 2.2 inches in some areas. Despite this initial dusting, meteorologists indicate that rising temperatures will likely melt existing snow before Christmas Day. Marissa Lautenbacher, a meteorologist with Fox Weather, noted that with temperatures expected to rise above freezing, the recent snowfall is unlikely to remain through December 25, according to the New York Post.
Similarly, Boston experienced its heaviest snowfall in nearly three years on December 21, with Fenway Park recording six inches of snow. While this brought a festive atmosphere to the city, forecasts suggest that warmer temperatures in the days leading up to Christmas will reduce the chances of maintaining a snow cover.
Forecasts for Christmas Week
“The definition of a ‘White Christmas’ is at least one inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m.,” StormTeam 5 meteorologist David Williams said. For the East Coast, particularly along the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, forecasts indicate that this criterion is unlikely to be met. The National Weather Service anticipates that most of the United States will experience dry conditions with above-average temperatures during the holiday period, reducing the probability of snowfall in these areas.
Specifically, cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are expected to see milder temperatures leading up to and including Christmas Day. For instance, forecasts for December 24 indicate highs in the upper 30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit for these cities, with no significant precipitation expected. This trend suggests that any existing snow is likely to melt, and new snowfall is improbable, according to Fox8.
Historically, the probability of a white Christmas varies across the United States. According to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, areas in the northern U.S., such as the Rocky Mountains and regions along the U.S.-Canada border, have a higher likelihood of experiencing snow on Christmas Day. In contrast, the East Coast, especially the mid-Atlantic region, typically has lower chances.
For example, New York City has not experienced a white Christmas since 2009, when two inches of snow covered the ground. Given current weather patterns and forecasts, it appears that 2024 will continue this trend, with little to no snowfall expected on December 25.
