What is a white Christmas? Will the US and UK experience one this year?

The iconic opening line from Bing Crosby’s classic holiday song, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”, is a sentiment many will agree with, as people long for a snowy Christmas day.

You must have watched Christmas movies showing everything covered in beautiful, fresh and fluffy snow, but in the real world, only about a dozen states in the US are more than 70 per cent likely to experience snowfall on average each year.

With Christmas just around the corner, a recent weather prediction has left people wondering whether there will be a white Christmas this year.

What is a white Christmas?

Weather definitions for a “white Christmas” vary by country.

In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a “white Christmas” as at least one inch of snow covering the ground on Christmas morning.

In Canada, Environment Canada defines a “white Christmas” as at least 0.8 inches of snow on the ground at 7:00 am local time on Christmas morning.

Whereas in the United Kingdom, a “white Christmas” is defined as at least one snowflake falling during the 24 hours of December 25 at any official weather station. The Met Office does not count snowfall from previous days.

Will the US experience white Christmas this year?

According to the Weather Channel’s outlook for the week, a few people across the US could witness snow, despite the fact much of the country experienced a very cold December.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only parts of the Upper Midwest, upstate New York, northern New England and the Mountain West are predicted to receive snow.

On the other hand, the Cascades, Sierra and northern Rockies are expected to see more snowfall this week after a warmer fall reduced the region’s snowpack.

Will the UK experience white Christmas this year?

According to the BBC, Scandinavian nations like Norway, Sweden and Denmark could send in cold air, which could result in showers that may turn into snow in some eastern areas. So, some people in the UK can expect a white Christmas, while it is unlikely for many.

The last time the UK witnessed snowfall on Christmas Day was in 2023, when 11 per cent of weather stations reported snow fall, although none reported it lying on the ground.