Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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We’ve come to expect a white Christmas in Minnesota. But in other parts of the country, a white Christmas is often just a fantasy. 

As you would expect, the odds for a white Christmas increase as you move north in the U.S. 

Historically in the Midwest, the 50/50-percent line for at least 1 inch of snow cover on Dec. 25 runs from near Des Moines, Iowa, to about Rockford, Ill.. 

Here are the national probabilities according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

There’s plenty of snow cover across Minnesota as of early December. 

If you live in far northern Minnesota, it’s pretty much a slam dunk. At least 1 inch of snow cover has been observed in 100 percent of years dating back into the 1800s. 

And if you’re looking for deep snow on Christmas, the best bet is around Isabella to Finland to the BWCA inland from the North Shore. Isabela has a 100 percent of at least 5 inches on the ground historically on Christmas Day and an eye-opening 73 percent record of 10 inches of snow depth.

The Twin Cities sees at least 1 inch of snow cover in about 72 percent of years. Here’s 

more from the Minnesota DNR Climate Working Group. 

The lowest odds of a white Christmas in Minnesota? Southwest locations like Pipestone, Tyler, and Luverne where the odds for a white Christmas are about 60 percent.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

There’s plenty of snow cover across Minnesota now. But what are the historical odds of a white Christmas? 

What are the historical odds of a white Christmas in Minnesota?

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