Where is a white Christmas most likely?
The Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Practically anywhere in Idaho. And of course, the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These are the parts of the United States where weather history suggests you want to be if you're looking for the best chance of a white Christmas.
The Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Practically anywhere in Idaho. And of course, the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These are the parts of the United States where weather history suggests you want to be if you're looking for the best chance of a white Christmas.
Mammoth Lakes, California
Snowfall is particularly heavy from December to March, with over 45 inches falling on average in December alone.
Northern Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin can practically guarantee a blanket of snow on Christmas Day, since snow begins falling earlier in the month and these northern areas have freezing temperature to avoid snow melt. In Minneapolis, it's an 80% chance.
Snowiest States Research Summary
The state with the snowiest Christmas in the U.S. is Michigan, with a 36% chance of snowfall on December 25th. The state with the least snowy Christmas in the U.S. is Hawaii, with a 0% chance of snowfall on December 25th.
On average, about 37% of the Lower 48 has snow on the ground on Christmas, according to 19 years of data compiled by the NOHRSC.
One of the coldest cities in the world, Fairbanks, Alaska, gets its fair share of snow during the winter. It also has a 100% chance of snow on Christmas Day.
The snowiest state of all is New Hampshire, which gets an average of 174.35 inches of snow each year. This is followed by Maine, which gets 92 inches annually and Vermont, with 80.2 inches. Alaska and Wyoming come next, with 79.6 and 77.33 inches respectively.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Is the Christmas Capital of America.
- Aspen, Colorado.
- Lake Placid, New York.
- Mammoth Lakes, California.
- Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Anchorage, Alaska.
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
- Lake Tahoe, California.
- Chicago, Illinois.
Which state has the least Christmas spirit?
Your geography may have something to do with your being a grinch, too. Those with the least holiday spirit are scattered across the West side of the map. Five of the 10 states with the least Christmas spirit are in the West: Hawaii, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming.
- 1) Savannah, Georgia.
- 3) New Orleans, Louisiana.
- 4) Honolulu, Hawaii.
- 5) Laguna Beach, California.
- 7) Tempe, Arizona.
- 8) San Diego, California.
- 9) Charleston, South Carolina.
- 10) St. Petersburg, Florida.
With a perfect overall score of 100, California also tops the individual rankings in searches for Christmas trees and Christmas decorations, so expect plenty of holiday glitz from Hollywood's home state.
Santa Claus, Indiana
Named after Saint Nick himself, this Indiana town has year-round Christmas spirit. Of course, it ramps up during the actual holidays. Meet Santa, drive through a light show, stay at the lakeside cottages, and shop at the town's Christmas-themed boutiques.
Leavenworth, Washington is the most Christmassy town in America, and it's not surprising why. The town is designed to resemble a Bavarian village and goes big for Christmas, with 21 miles of Christmas lights decorating the town.
Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas.
According to WNYC, NYC gets a white Christmas about every six years.
How often does New York City get a White Christmas? Since 1912, there has been at least an inch of snow on the ground in Central Park on Christmas Day 18 times, or once every six years.
According to the map, the historical probability of a white Christmas stands at 35% in Chicago.