Christmas Weather in the United States

According to our famous long-range predictions, snow is indeed in store for Christmas week in a good part of the U.S., but looming rain threatens to make it a wash elsewhere.

Christmas! ‘Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
–Washington Irving, American writer (1783-1859)

Below are the weather highlights by region. Just click on your region to see more details.

• In the Northeast, it’s been messy, miserable weather with a mix of rain and snow. However, good news ahead. It should be a snowy, picturesque Christmas Day.
• If you love snow, there’s also good news for the Lower Lakes, Upper Midwest, Heartland, High Plains, Intermountain, and Alaska: we expect the white stuff to blanket the ground for Christmas Day! Fresh flakes may fall in the days before Christmas, or even on the holiday itself. Look for the Almanac’s predicted “parade of snowstorms” to march across the northern tier of the country, from central Washington into the Upper Midwest. 
• In the Atlantic Corridor, Appalachians, and Ohio Valley, snow is likely to mix with rain, making for a holiday that’s more wet than white. A dusting of snow is also predicted for the northern half of the Deep South, with rain showers appearing in the southern half of that region.
• Elsewhere in the country, including in Florida, the Southeast, and Texas-Oklahoma, as well as along the Pacific coast (Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest), we’re predicting that Christmas will be shrouded by brief periods of rain and cooler weather overall.
• In the Desert Southwest and Hawaii, sunny, clear skies are on the menu for Christmas Day—surprise, surprise!

Christmas Weather in Canada

• In Canada, snow is likely to be on the ground for Christmas Day in the Prairies, Southern Ontario, Southern Quebec and most of Atlantic Canada.
• Major snow isn’t predicted for British Columbia, but a cold snap is likely to occur in mid-December, providing a preview of the weather that’s ahead in the new year.

Into the New Year and Beyond

Will this winter continue to be frigid, or will we saved by an early thaw-out? Read our full 2020 Winter Forecast to see what lies ahead in the new year and beyond!

Or, pick up a copy of our famous little yellow book, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, published since 1792!  While you’ll find 12 months of long-range forecasts, weather is only a very small part of what the Almanac is all about!  Plus, The 2020 Old Farmer’s Almanac is the perfect stocking stuffer!  Start the new year right!

So, are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Let us know in the comments!