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Will it snow at Christmas?: Forecasts for major US cities

Where to expect a ‘white Christmas’ this year

Louise Hall
Monday 21 December 2020 15:09 EST
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People go sledding on Central Park's Pilgrim Hill in New York on December 17, 2020.
People go sledding on Central Park's Pilgrim Hill in New York on December 17, 2020. (AFP via Getty Images)

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With the holiday season just around the corner, many will be wondering if they will see a white Christmas in 2020, however small the celebrations may be amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Check the latest weather forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and predictions from OMNI for nine major US cities below to see whether you should keep your fingers crossed for snowy weather.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defines a "white Christmas" as having one inch or more of snow on the ground Christmas morning.

Boston, Massachusetts

Is snow forecast? No

NWS forecast: Rain before noon, then a chance of showers between noon and 2pm. High near 51. Southwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph

Probability of a white Christmas: 19 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 17 per cent

Chicago, Illinois

Is snow forecast? No

NWS Forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 23

Probability of a white Christmas: 41 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 23 per cent

Columbus, Ohio

Is snow forecast? No

NWS forecast: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22

Probability of a white Christmas: 23 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 24 per cent

Denver, Colorado

Is snow forecast? No

NWS forecast: Sunny, with a high near 51 F

Probability of a white Christmas: 40 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 17 per cent

Detroit, Michigan

Is snow forecast? Yes

NWS forecast: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25

Probability of white a Christmas: 37 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 28 per cent

Indianapolis, Indiana

Is snow forecast? No

NWS forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 23 F

Probability of white a Christmas: 26 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 21 per cent

New York, New York State

Is snow forecast? No

NWS Forecast: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy

Probability of white a Christmas: 11.2 per cent

Probability of snowfall:  8.9 per cent

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Snowfall forecast? Yes

NWS Forecast: Rain and snow showers likely before 10 am, then a chance of snow showers between 10 am and 1 pm Partly sunny, with a high near 37 F

Probability of a white Christmas: 7.6 per cent

Probability of snowfall: 7.8 per cent

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