December 8th 2024.
Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about a picturesque, snowy Christmas? Well, according to weather experts, Denver is your best bet for experiencing a winter wonderland during the holiday season. However, the chances are still relatively low, outside of any unexpected snowstorms.
In fact, a recent report released by AccuWeather meteorologists revealed that the likelihood of a white Christmas in the U.S. is diminishing due to rising temperatures and warmer ocean waters. According to their data compiled over the past thirty years, Denver has an average 34% chance of having a classic white Christmas.
Surprisingly, Denver is tied with Chicago and surpasses other major cities like Indianapolis, Boston, and New York by at least 10%. The only other places that come close to Denver's chances are those in the top five, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Boston, and New York.
However, the National Weather Service (NWS) has a slightly more optimistic estimate for Colorado. According to meteorologist Maggie Ideker, there is a 36% chance of having a white Christmas if one inch or more of snow is on the ground. But if a white Christmas means measurable snowfall on the actual day, the odds drop to about 14%.
But what do the numbers show in terms of past white Christmases in Denver? Ideker reports that in the last thirty years, there have only been seven Christmas Days with measurable snowfall, equating to about 23%. However, there have been thirteen Christmas mornings with snow already on the ground, making it a 43% chance.
AccuWeather's definition of a white Christmas is any December 25th with at least one inch of snow on the ground, whether it fell on the day or was already there. But as for this year, it is still too early to predict whether Denver will get lucky with snow. Ideker says that forecasters will have a better idea about a week before the holiday.
Interestingly, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, only a handful of the top 25 cities in the U.S. have a higher than 1% likelihood of a white Christmas, making Denver stand out among the rest. The last time Denver experienced a white Christmas was in 2022, when a winter storm and frigid temperatures led to two inches of snow on the ground.
In fact, 2022 was the most widespread white Christmas in the last thirty years, with more than half of the country covered in snow. Prior to that, Denver had two consecutive white Christmases in 2014 and 2015, which is extremely rare, according to NWS forecasters. It was also the first time on record that Denver received multiple inches of snow on the actual day of Christmas.
The heaviest snowfall on Christmas Day in Denver was 7.8 inches in 2007, and the greatest snow depth on the ground was 24 inches after the Christmas Eve blizzard of 1982. It's clear that Denver has seen its fair share of white Christmases, but what about the rest of Colorado?
Weather experts say that outside of major cities, towns in the mountains across the western U.S. and Rocky Mountains have a much higher chance of a white Christmas. In fact, ski towns in Colorado, such as Winter Park, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, and Telluride, have a historical probability of 94% to 99%.
So, if you're looking to experience a white Christmas, it seems like heading to the mountains may be your best bet. But regardless of where you are in Colorado, it's always a good idea to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts, especially during the holiday season. Stay informed by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.
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