Are you dreaming of a White Christmas? See what The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts for Christmas 2026, with forecast maps for the U.S. and Canada.
This year, the Northeast, Intermountain, and Alaska are forecast to have a White Christmas, while several other U.S. regions have a chance. Much of northern Canada is also forecast to have a White Christmas. Find your region on the maps below!
What counts as a White Christmas? According to the National Weather Service, it means having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning. It doesn’t necessarily have to snow on Christmas Day.
Will There Be a White Christmas in the U.S.?
The 2026 outlook varies considerably across the country—even between neighboring regions. For example, the Northeast is forecast to have A White Christmas, while the Atlantic Corridor is forecast to have Not a White Christmas. See the map and regional breakdown below.
White Christmas Forecast by U.S. Region
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac Christmas Forecast for 2026:
- Northeast: A White Christmas.
- Atlantic Corridor: Not a White Christmas.
- Appalachians: Not a White Christmas north; Chance of a White Christmas south.
- Southeast: Not a White Christmas.
- Florida: Not a White Christmas.
- Lower Lakes: Chance of a White Christmas.
- Ohio Valley: Chance of a White Christmas.
- Deep South: Not a White Christmas.
- Upper Midwest: Not a White Christmas.
- Heartland: Not a White Christmas.
- Texas–Oklahoma: Not a White Christmas.
- High Plains: Chance of a White Christmas.
- Intermountain: A White Christmas.
- Desert Southwest: Not a White Christmas.
- Pacific Northwest: Chance of a White Christmas.
- Pacific Southwest: Not a White Christmas.
- Alaska: A White Christmas.
- Hawaii: Not a White Christmas.
Will There Be a White Christmas in Canada?
Our neighbors to the north are in luck for sleigh rides and snowball fights in many areas this holiday season!
Across Atlantic Canada, there is a Chance of a White Christmas in the east and A White Christmas in the west. Southern Quebec is forecast to have A White Christmas. In southern Ontario, there is a Chance of a White Christmas in the east and A White Christmas in the west.
Moving west, the Southern Prairies are forecast to have A White Christmas, while southern British Columbia has a Chance of a White Christmas. Along the coast of British Columbia up to the Alaska Panhandle, however, the outlook is Not a White Christmas.
Farther north, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are all forecast to have A White Christmas. The outlook is also A White Christmas for northern British Columbia, the northern Prairies, northern Ontario, northern Quebec, and northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
For a broader look at the Almanac’s seasonal forecasts, see our 2026–2027 Winter Weather Outlook.
What Are the Odds of Having a White Christmas?
Not your year for snow? Maybe next year! If you’re curious about your chances of A White Christmas, take a look at the historical odds. The NOAA map below shows the probability of having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Christmas Day, based on 1991–2020 climate data. Remember, these are historical averages—not predictions for Christmas 2026.
Whether your Christmas is white or not, we wish you a holiday filled with warmth, joy, and good cheer. Merry Christmas from all of us at The Old Farmer’s Almanac!
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) — White Christmas Historical Data
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