What's the Chance of a White Christmas in Minnesota? It Depends.

The Minnesota Department of Natural resources defines a "white Christmas" as at least one inch of snow on the ground Dec. 25. How rare is a white Christmas in Minnesota? It depends on which part of the state you live in.

Here is the breakdown:

• Twin Cities: 72 percent
• Northern Minnesota: 90 Percent
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA): almost guaranteed
• Southwestern/Southeastern Minnesota: 60 percent

According to the DNR, the best chances of having a white Christmas is almost guaranteed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and a good part of the Arrowhead. The chances decrease to the south and west and the best chance for a "brown" Christmas is in far southwest Minnesota where chances are a little better than 60%. Northern Minnesota is one of the few non-alpine climates in the US where a white Christmas is almost a sure bet.

Has there ever been a snowstorm on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in the Twin Cities? It may depend on what you mean by "snowstorm," says the DNR.

The heaviest snowfall on Christmas Eve was 5.2 inches of snow in 2009, according to the DNR. Another 2.0 inches of snow fell on Christmas Day 2009. To find the next significant snowfall, one has to go back in time to 1950 when 5.9 inches of snow fell in the Twin Cities.

The biggest snowstorm was in 1945 where 11.3 inches fell in Downtown Minneapolis on Dec. 24 and 25. The Twin Cities was partially paralyzed. Streets and sidewalks were blocked by huge drifts and walking was very difficult. The streetcar system continued to run, albeit a bit tardy. Minneapolis street department employees used every piece of equipment available to clear the streets for Christmas.

Image via Nic McPhee, Flickr, used under Creative Commons