By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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What's New
With Christmas just a day away, meteorologists have a good idea at which states might see fresh snowfall on the holiday for a white Christmas.
Why It Matters
Last week, AccuWeather came out with a forecast anticipating which states had a chance of snow on the ground during Christmas. At that time, 18 states had a "high" chance at seeing snow, though there's something extra magical when the flakes actually fall on Christmas day.
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What to Know
Newer forecasts imply that parts of 10 states might see snowflakes fall on Christmas, contributing to the magic of the holiday by creating a winter wonderland.
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What Are the Chances of a White Christmas?
Not many states are expecting fresh snowfall on Christmas day, but there's a chance some snowfall could occur in parts of the Northeast, across the Rocky Mountains, one northwestern state and some states in the Great Lakes region.
A white Christmas also is expected for some states with snow already on the ground, though they aren't expecting to see fresh snowfall, AccuWeather long-range expert Paul Pastelok told Newsweek.
States with snow on the ground for Christmas include North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, northeastern Ohio, nearly every state in New England and in the Rocky Mountain region.
Which States Could See Snow on Christmas Day?
Current forecasts anticipate that snow could fall on Christmas day in 10 states.
There's a slight chance that flakes could fall in the early morning in eastern Massachusetts and maybe into Rhode Island, Pastelok told Newsweek. However, if it falls, the snow is expected to leave the area rather quickly.
Snow mixed with sleet could fall in Minneapolis and southern Minnesota and in Wisconsin later in the afternoon, but the timing is uncertain. Flakes also could reach northern Iowa, he added.
Pastelok is "pretty confident" that the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and eastern Idaho will see snow showers on Christmas, as will mountainous areas in Washington state.
Where Did the Phrase 'White Christmas' Originate?
"White Christmas" is popular across the world in the countries that celebrate the holiday, with the phrase often being referenced in holiday-themed pop culture. Within the past century, the phrase became largely popular because of the eponymous song written by Irving Berlin for the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn and sung by Bing Crosby on Christmas day in 1941, a few weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
However, some reports believe the phrase originated long before that.
A report published earlier this month by news9live.com credits the term as becoming popular because of the author Charles Dickens, who referenced a snowy Christmas in several of his stories published in the mid-1800s.
What People Are Saying
Pastelok said: Outside of the states mentioned, rain could make for a dreary Christmas. "Elsewhere it's either rain or nothing."
National Weather Service (NWS) Indianapolis office in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "Periodic rain chances are expected for Indiana on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is only a very small chance of a brief period of snow in far northeast Indiana. Parts of eastern Ohio and Michigan could see a white Christmas, however."
NWS St. Louis office in a post on X: "Dry & quiet conditions will persist this weekend as temperatures warm. Next week, a wet & mild pattern will set up with periods of rain at times. The highest chance of rain is Monday night–Tuesday night. A white Christmas is unlikely!"
NWS Nashville office in a post on X: "If you're dreaming of a White Christmas, then let me be the first to crush your dreams. Alas, there will be no White Christmas in Middle Tennessee this year. We are expecting a wet Christmas, but temperatures will be too warm for anything other than rain. Signed, E. Scrooge"
What Happens Next
Forecasts will become more certain with each passing day. The NWS will issue any weather-related alerts necessary to accompany the snowfall should a winter storm require it.
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