Snowfall Forecast: Where Will Christmas Be White in 2026?

Residents in the Northeast, Intermountain region, and Alaska have the best prospects for a white Christmas in 2026, according to a long-range forecast. A "white Christmas" is officially defined by the National Weather Service as having at least one inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. local time on Christmas Day.

These snowy predictions align with areas anticipated to experience above-normal snowfall this winter. The Northeast, in particular, could see snow accumulate in mid- to late December. The Intermountain region also has a good chance of more snow than usual, while the Pacific Northwest may see above-normal snowfall.

The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has been issuing weather predictions since 1792, bases its forecasts on a combination of solar science, climatology, meteorology, historical patterns, and current climate data. While this forecast offers an early indication, actual conditions may change as Christmas approaches.

Historically, states like Minnesota, Maine, and upstate New York, along with mountain regions and Alaska, have frequently experienced white Christmases. However, weather experts caution that year-to-year variations mean historical data is only a general guide, and actual snow cover depends on immediate pre-Christmas weather patterns.