What's New
Christmas is only two days away, and meteorologists can now say with relative certainty which states can expect a white Christmas.
Why It Matters
Last week, meteorologists began forecasting with increasing certainty which states might have a white Christmas this year.
Now, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are issuing winter weather-related warnings for multiple states, forecasting fresh snow to fall in the days leading up to Christmas. AccuWeather also has published an updated white Christmas map.
Though the snow could contribute to the magic of the holiday, at least 15 states are expecting difficult travel conditions early this week because of snow and winter weather, the NWS warned.
What To Know
The most updated report from AccuWeather shows that 22 states, or at least portions of those states, have a high chance at a white Christmas. Seventeen states have a low to medium chance at a white Christmas. The rest of the U.S., particularly states in the South, have zero probability of a white Christmas.
Some of the states expecting snow could even see flakes fall on Christmas Day, or at least on Christmas Eve.
States most likely to see a white Christmasm according to AccuWeather, are Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, far northern Arizona, far northern New Mexico, North Dakota, far northeastern South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, far northeastern Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Alaska also will likely have a white Christmas, given NWS forecasts.
States with a low or low to medium chance at a white Christmas are Nevada, Nebraska, Iowa, far northern Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina, far eastern Tennessee, far eastern Kentucky and Connecticut.
States with a zero chance at a white Christmas are Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Hawaii also likely won't have a white Christmas, though sometimes snow falls on high-elevation areas in the Aloha State.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok told Newsweek: Despite the holiday's proximity, the forecast can still change. "There's a chance that northwest Connecticut and western Massachusetts could get an inch of snow out of an event coming in tomorrow, and it could stick around for Christmas morning.
He added that some states also have a shrinking chance for snow. Missouri could see none, and Nebraska's chances are "getting low" as well. Nevada's chance also is lower than past Christmases, Pastelok said.
NWS meteorologist Liz Jurkowski told Newsweek: Snow will fall overnight on Monday in the Buffalo, New York region. Although the snow will move out of the area before Christmas, "It should remain cold enough to have a white Christmas."
NWS Quad Cities in a post on X: "Did You Know, a White Christmas is defined as when there is 1" or more of snow depth Christmas morning? Historically, Moline, IL has a White Christmas 39% of the time, while Dubuque, IA has a White Christmas 56% of the time."
NWS San Diego in a post on X: "Since records began, the San Diego area has gone 131 consecutive years without a white Christmas. Something tells us this streak will remain unbroken."
What Happens Next
Much of the winter weather advisories in place across the U.S. on Monday are expected to expire before the holiday, but travelers are urged to keep updated on weather conditions before they set out.
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