Dreaming of a white Christmas? Here are your chances of experiencing one

Many people say they’re dreaming of a white Christmas, but most locales in the U.S. will likely not have snow on Dec. 25.

The Climate Prediction Center released its forecast for Dec. 22-26 showing the entire contiguous U.S. west of the Mississippi River will likely have above-average temperatures. Meanwhile, areas along the East Coast are likely to experience below-average temperatures.

While temperatures might be cold enough for snow in the Northeast, this area is expected to have below-average precipitation.

The Pacific Northwest will likely have well-above-average precipitation around Christmas. Those conditions could equate for a white Christmas for those in higher elevation regions of Oregon and Washington where temperatures will be cold enough even if its warmer than usual.

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According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, most major U.S. cities’ historical chances of seeing a white Christmas are well below 50%. NOAA considers a Christmas to be white if there is at least one inch of snow on the ground.

In major U.S. cities like New York and Philadelphia, the chances stand around 10%. Going up to Boston improves the chances to about 32%.

Major Midwest cities, like Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, have about a 40% chance of a white Christmas.

U.S. cities with the best chances of a white Christmas (100 largest by population):

1. St. Paul, Minnesota 76%
2. Minneapolis 74%
3. Madison, Wisconsin 65%
4. Spokane, Washington 60%
5. Buffalo 55%
6. Milwaukee 47%
7. Cleveland 43%
8. Chicago 41%
9. Denver 40%
10. Toledo, Ohio 38%

Are you looking for a nearly guaranteed shot of having a white Christmas in the continental United States? Crested Butte, Colorado, has a 99% chance of a white Christmas, according to NOAA. The city is high up in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 8,800 feet.
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To see if your town has a shot at a white Christmas, click here.