Snow on Christmas Day adds a little extra magic to day. But how often does a “white Christmas” actually occur around the Pittsburgh area?It’s not just any snow on Christmas that makes it a white one. A “white Christmas” is officially defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground (a snow depth) at 7 o’clock Christmas morning, according at NOAA. What are Pittsburgh’s chances?For Pittsburgh there is about a 30 percent chance of having a snow depth of at least an inch Christmas morning all time according to the National Weather Service. Since 1990, there have been nine white Christmases. Most recently in 2022.In the last five years we have also seen Pittsburgh’s snowiest Christmas Day. Not only was Christmas Day 2020 a “white” one, but we also saw the greatest Christmas snow total. A big Arctic blast arrived on Christmas Eve changing rain to snow. Then on Christmas Day a little over five inches of snow were reported at Pittsburgh International. It was the snowiest Christmas Day in 85 years!Chances are location dependent. While Pittsburgh has a three in ten chance of experiencing a white Christmas, the odds are more favorable for the Laurel Highlands, areas north of Interstate 80, and for the mountains for West Virginia. These areas have anywhere from a 40 to 50 percent chance of a white Christmas.What about this year? Should we start dreaming?If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, it might just be that this year – a dream. The odds are not necessarily in our favor with Christmas Day a little over a week away.Just based on the Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 temperature outlook, it would appear western Pennsylvania is in a good spot for snow. Temperatures are favored to run below normal. This is especially true for the upcoming weekend. But, as the real countdown to Christmas begins, the temperature trend looks to flip and milder air will come in ahead of the big day.The precipitation outlook is also not on our side. We are expecting drier than normal conditions leading up to Christmas.If you’re still hoping for a tradition white Christmas, head to the shores of Lake Erie. There will still be plenty of snow left after repeated rounds of big lake effect snow.
Snow on Christmas Day adds a little extra magic to day. But how often does a “white Christmas” actually occur around the Pittsburgh area?
It’s not just any snow on Christmas that makes it a white one. A “white Christmas” is officially defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground (a snow depth) at 7 o’clock Christmas morning, according at NOAA.
What are Pittsburgh’s chances?
For Pittsburgh there is about a 30 percent chance of having a snow depth of at least an inch Christmas morning all time according to the National Weather Service. Since 1990, there have been nine white Christmases. Most recently in 2022.
In the last five years we have also seen Pittsburgh’s snowiest Christmas Day. Not only was Christmas Day 2020 a “white” one, but we also saw the greatest Christmas snow total. A big Arctic blast arrived on Christmas Eve changing rain to snow. Then on Christmas Day a little over five inches of snow were reported at Pittsburgh International. It was the snowiest Christmas Day in 85 years!
Chances are location dependent. While Pittsburgh has a three in ten chance of experiencing a white Christmas, the odds are more favorable for the Laurel Highlands, areas north of Interstate 80, and for the mountains for West Virginia. These areas have anywhere from a 40 to 50 percent chance of a white Christmas.
What about this year? Should we start dreaming?
If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, it might just be that this year – a dream. The odds are not necessarily in our favor with Christmas Day a little over a week away.
Just based on the Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 temperature outlook, it would appear western Pennsylvania is in a good spot for snow. Temperatures are favored to run below normal. This is especially true for the upcoming weekend. But, as the real countdown to Christmas begins, the temperature trend looks to flip and milder air will come in ahead of the big day.
The precipitation outlook is also not on our side. We are expecting drier than normal conditions leading up to Christmas.
If you’re still hoping for a tradition white Christmas, head to the shores of Lake Erie. There will still be plenty of snow left after repeated rounds of big lake effect snow.
