What You Need To Know
- In the last 50 years, a white Christmas in NYC occurred 6% of the time
- There is a specific definition of a white Christmas
- The last white Christmas was in 2009
- It doesn’t have to snow on Christmas to have a white Christmas
The official definition of a white Christmas is that at least an inch of snow has to be on the ground by 7 a.m. on Christmas morning.
So, even if snow is falling on Christmas morning, it may not be a white Christmas. And in some instances, it might not be snowing at all, but with snow already on the ground, it’ll earn the title of a white Christmas.
The History of a White Christmas in NYC
It has been quite a while since we’ve had a white Christmas.
The historical data from Central Park on Christmas Day shows that we met the criteria on Christmas morning just three times in the last 50 years. If you do the math, that’s about 6% of the time.
The years were 2009, 2002, and 1998.
What About This Year?
It’s too soon to know for sure, but we do have something working in our favor. A deep freeze will arrive this weekend. Temperatures will tumble to the teens and 20s. That’s certainly cold enough for snow. Now, we just need a storm system!
Conclusion
A white Christmas is a rare event in NYC, but it’s not impossible. With the right combination of cold temperatures and snowfall, we might just see some snow on the ground on Christmas morning. Whether or not it’s a white Christmas, the holiday season is always a special time in the city that never sleeps.
FAQs
Q: What is the definition of a white Christmas?
A: At least an inch of snow has to be on the ground by 7 a.m. on Christmas morning.
Q: Does it have to snow on Christmas to have a white Christmas?
A: No, it doesn’t have to snow on Christmas morning. If there’s already an inch of snow on the ground, it’ll still be considered a white Christmas.
Q: How often does it snow on Christmas in NYC?
A: According to historical data from Central Park, it snows on Christmas in NYC about 6% of the time.
Q: What are the chances of a white Christmas this year?
A: It’s too soon to know for sure, but with a deep freeze expected this weekend, the conditions are ripe for snow. We’ll just have to wait and see if a storm system develops.
