The history of ‘White Christmas’ in Seattle
Dec 22, 2014, 5:47 AM | Updated: 5:47 am
Snow has fallen on Christmas Day only a limited number of times over the last 122 years. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
Snow is an infrequent occurrence in the lowlands of western Washington. So to have snow on an exact day like Christmas makes it even tougher. What are the chances of a white Christmas in Seattle?
Seattle weather records began downtown in 1891 and continued through 1944. Seattle weather records then moved to Sea-Tac Airport in 1945 and continue to present. These statistics were compiled by NWS Seattle staff member Dana Felton.
Snow has fallen on Christmas Day only a limited number of times over the last 122 years. They include:
1) 1909 1.8 inches
2) 1915 0.4 inches
3) 1944 0.2 inches
4) 1965 1.0 inches
5) 1990 0.8 inches
6) 2007 0.9 inches
7) 2008 0.4 inches
There has been snowfall on only about 6 percent of Christmas Days over the 122-year record. The most recent snowfall on Christmas Day was 2008, and it was embedded in an extended cold and snowy weather period that began on December 13 and continued through the end of the year.
Some places in western Washington had between one and two feet of snow on the ground Christmas Day.
Will it snow on Christmas Day this year? The outlook right now is for a cooling trend with highs likely in the lower 40s and little, if any, precipitation. It again doesn’t look good for snow this year on Christmas Day.
Have a great holiday season.
