Will Illinois Have A White Christmas In 2021?

ILLINOIS — For some, the holidays simply aren’t the same without a blanket of fresh, white snow on the ground. But what are the odds of actually experiencing this simple pleasure on Christmas Day in Illinois?

A white Christmas could be hard to come by in some parts of the United States this year, according to newly released forecasts by prognosticators including Farmers’ Almanac and Accuweather.

Meanwhile, other states face an even greater chance for snow thanks to La Niña, a meteorological phenomenon during which sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean drop to lower-than-average levels.

La Niña played a major role in this year’s predictions, according to Accuweather, tending to steer storms northward and cutting off moisture to the southern portion of the United States.

So what does this mean for Illinois this Christmas? Will we see fresh snow this holiday weekend?

It’s not likely, according to Farmers’ Almanac’s Christmas 2021 forecast. The Farmers' Almanac is calling for a "brutally cold Christmas season" for Illinois, but mentions no snowfall.

Take a look at the weekly forecast in Chicago here.

Those in the Northeast, Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and Midwest can expect a frigidly cold Christmas. Those in the Northeast may also see scattered snow showers. In the Southeast, it will be dry and cold through that weekend. States in the northern Plains can expect fair skies and fair temperatures, while some Southern states including Texas and New Mexico should brace for cold weather.

If no snow falls on Christmas Day, will Illinois at least see snow on the ground? The chances are between 40 and 50 percent for most of northern Illinois, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.

Using three decades worth of climatological measurements, the Farmers’ Almanac annually predicts the probability that a snow depth of at least 1 inch will be recorded on Christmas Day in Illinois. This year, the probability is between 40 and 50 percent for northern Illinois, and between 25 and 40 percent for central Illinois.

In the Sierras, Cascades, the leeward side of the Great Lakes and northern New England, Christmas snow cover is a near certainty, Farmers’ Almanac says. In these regions, most precipitation in late autumn and early winter falls as snow, making the probability of snowfall exceed 25 percent.

At higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains and at many locations between the northern Rockies and New England, the probability of snow on the ground is more than 50 percent.

For those who opt for a green Christmas, the best places to be in late December will be Southern California, the lower elevations of the Southwest, and Florida.

Of course, Farmers’ Almanac isn’t the only expert in predicting holiday weekend weather. Accuweather also released its 2021 holiday forecast this week, and its predictions are different.

According to Accuweather, Chicago has a higher chance than normal to get a white Christmas.

Accuweather also looks at the historical probability that residents of Illinois will have a white Christmas. Typically in our state, there’s a 50 to 75 percent chance of at least 1 inch of snow on the ground by the holiday weekend.

This year, the odds of a white Christmas in northern Illinois are higher than normal, according to Accuweather.

The fascination with a white Christmas was likely popularized by the writings of Charles Dickens. The depiction of a snow-covered Christmas season in his 1843 classic “A Christmas Carol,” and a number of his other short stories, was reportedly influenced by memories of his childhood.

The song “White Christmas,” written by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing Crosby, is among the best-selling singles of all time. The tune nostalgically speaks of a white Christmas and has since become embedded in American holiday traditions.