Christmas is weeks away, but the weather experts are already out with their predictions for which areas of the country are likely to get snow on Christmas. So, will you get a white Christmas this year? Some areas of the county are predicted to get some of the white stuff on Christmas, while others will likely be dry. The experts at the Farmer’s Almanac have their predictions out, so let’s get into which areas of the United States will get the white stuff.
Will You Get Snow on Christmas?
First, let’s look at the December outlook. According to the Farmer’s Almanac’s December weather forecast, as far as temperatures, “Most of the U.S. has average to above-average temperatures, so many people are looking at a mild month. The exception is the eastern Carolinas through Florida and Alaska, which will be below normal. As for December precipitation, it’s expected to be “above normal in the Great Lakes, Tennessee Valley, Texas–Oklahoma, and the northern Pacific Northwest; elsewhere, precipitation will be near to below normal.”
On Christmas week, the Almanac says to “expect below-average temps from the mid-Atlantic states across the Southeast and Florida, from the Ohio Valley through the Heartland and the southern Plains, and throughout the Desert Southwest. It will turn very cold across Alaska. In other areas, temperatures will be milder than average.”
They add that “snow can lead to a white Christmas from the Heartland into the southern High Plains, while a snowstorm can slow travel across Alaska. Elsewhere, it will be sunny and dry for holiday travel.”
Christmas Day Snowfall Predictions from Weather Experts
But, that’s not all. The Farmer’s Almanac also has a specific Christmas day forecast which explains what’s supposed to happen weather-wise in different areas of the country. It gives a snapshot to what to expect, which can come in handy if you’re planning for holiday travel, especially on the roads. Icy and snowy roads can be hazardous, so it’s best to be prepared for any inclement weather that might come you way.
In Zone 1, the Northeast and New England, expect “Wet snow bringing a white Christmas to the north. Rain showers in the south.” That area includes New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington D.C.
In Zone 2, which is the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest, the weather prediction is for “sunshine, cold (and) dry.” That area includes Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Zone 3 is the Southeast, bringing together Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. There, expect “scattered showers.”
In Zone 4, North Central, expect “generally fair, dry, very cold.” That area includes Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Zone 5 is the South Central, with Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. There, expect weather that’s “fair, dry, cold.”
Zone 6 in the Northwest brings together Washington, Oregon and Idaho. There, expect “fair skies, dry, cold.”
Finally, in Zone 7, the Southwest with California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, look for a “fair, dry, very chilly at Christmastime.”
So, there’s your official prediction from the Farmer’s Almanac. When the Weather Channel posts their predictions, we’ll report on those here, too.
Also, let’s hope the snow doesn’t cause any problems at NFL games again this season.