White Christmas in NYC? Here's What to Expect

Will New York City experience a white Christmas this year? The forecast remains uncertain, but the possibility exists. While it's too early to definitively say for western and central New York, colder weather is expected later this week, potentially bringing a few inches of snow by Saturday.

The key question is whether this snow will remain on the ground until Christmas Day. Temperatures will drop below freezing by Friday, reaching the upper teens by the weekend. While warmer weather is predicted for the following week, this could change.

<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ksIwBhygcVVq_30RcdP3Ew--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc0Mg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/democrat-and-chronicle/6450277e5a47d796a02cfe2abd57b104" alt="Historical probability of a white Christmas in the US and Canada">

New York City's Forecast:

The New York City area is expected to have temperatures about 10 degrees warmer, with a higher likelihood of rain than snow.

AccuWeather's Prediction:

A turbulent weather pattern could bring another blast of snow and rain to parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley before the holidays. There will be temperature fluctuations along the East Coast.

What is a White Christmas?

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), a white Christmas requires at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th. A trace amount does not count. Historically, about 38% of the Lower 48 states have at least an inch of snow on Christmas Day.

<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ugu3JDCoKGZ.ZxGMC..FAA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxMg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/democrat-and-chronicle/7799d605bac0b0c13c6bda955adea38b" alt="Historical probability of a white Christmas">

Snowiest Cities in New York:

Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo consistently rank among the snowiest cities in New York, primarily due to lake-effect snow. Syracuse, averaging 11 feet of snow annually, leads the pack.

Will it snow in NYC? Only time will tell!