Snow Dreams May Melt for Many This Holiday

Christmas is around the corner, but for many in the US, a white Christmas might just be a dream. Weather forecasts suggest temperatures could be way above normal for much of the country on December 25. Last year, the US experienced its warmest winter ever. This year, the country could be split into two – warm in the west and cold in the east. The western half, including Alaska and Hawaii, will see unusually warm conditions. Meanwhile, the eastern half will be quite chilly until Christmas Day, according to the Climate Prediction Center. Places like Washington, DC, could have temperatures below freezing until Christmas Eve, but they might rebound to the typical 40s by Christmas Day, which also marks the start of Hanukkah this year. Even though it might be cold in the east, it will likely be much drier than usual, which is not good news for snow lovers. Some wet weather could hit parts of the East on Christmas Day. Early forecasts show a mix of rain and snow might affect high elevation areas in the Northeast. A few spots in the Rockies might also see some snowflakes. However, these forecasts are not set in stone. Weather patterns can change in the next week, altering the predictions. To count as a white Christmas, there needs to be at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25. This snow can fall before the day. Mountainous regions in the West, parts of Michigan and New York, and interior northern New England likely have enough snow to maintain at least an inch through Christmas Day. Historically, areas like Minnesota and Wisconsin, along with mountainous parts of the West and Northeast, have the highest chances of a white Christmas. Cities like Minneapolis and Burlington, Vermont, usually have the best odds. Chicago has about a 35 to 40% chance, while New York City and Philadelphia have much lower chances. Some cities haven't seen a white Christmas in over a decade.