MYNORTHWEST NEWS

The history of white Christmases in Seattle

Dec 19, 2013, 9:57 AM | Updated: Dec 27, 2020, 8:54 pm

2008 was the most recent snowfall on Christmas Day and it was embedded in an extended cold and snow...

2008 was the most recent snowfall on Christmas Day and it was embedded in an extended cold and snowy weather period that started on Dec. 13 and ran through the end of the year. (Reader submitted photo)

(Reader submitted photo)

What are the chances of a white Christmas in Seattle? Let’s look at Seattle weather going back to when records began in 1891, with records in downtown Seattle through 1944 and at Sea-Tac Airport from 1945 to present.

Snow has fallen on Christmas Day only a limited number of times over the last 133 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
8) 2017 1.6 inches

There has been snowfall on only about 6% of Christmas Days over the 133 year record. 2017 was the most recent snowfall on Christmas Day.

Will it snow on Christmas Day this year? The forecast is for a relatively dry day on Christmas with high temperatures close to seasonal averages – in the 40s.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Most of these statistics were compiled by NWS Seattle staff member Dana Felton.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

5 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

6 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

8 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

8 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

9 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

12 hours ago

The history of white Christmases in Seattle