Christmas Weather Forecast 2020: Will It Be a White Christmas?

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, Lower Lakes, Intermountain, expect snow flurries in the days leading up to Christmas, with temperatures trending milder (by winter standards, at least) around the holiday. 
• If you love snow and more typical winter temperatures and live in the Upper Midwest, High Plains, or Alaska, we have good news for you: 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, accompanied by cold temps.
• In the Appalachians, Heartland, and Ohio Valley, snow is likely to mix with rain, making for a holiday that’s more wet than white.
• Elsewhere in the country, including in the Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, and Deep South, we’re predicting that Christmas will be shrouded by brief periods of rain and milder weather overall.
• The Desert Southwest looks like it wants to have the best of both worlds, with snow showers in store for the eastern half of the region and sunny skies in the west.
• In Florida, Texas-Oklahoma, and Hawaii, as well as along the Pacific coast (Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest), sunny, clear skies are on the menu for Christmas Day.

Christmas Weather in Canada

• In Canada, snow is likely to be on the ground for Christmas Day in the Prairies, Southern Ontario, and Southern Quebec.
• Along Canada’s coasts, in Atlantic Canada and British Columbia, both rain and snow will make an appearance, with snow occurring mainly in the nothern parts of Atlantic Canada and inland British Columbia.

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 2021 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 2021 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!