Community Corner

Will RI See a White Christmas?

Based on historical data - and our typical weather patterns in the area - it could go either way.

It's a bit early for a forecast for Dec. 25, but it's not too soon to guess if we'll have a white Christmas!

And a map created by NOAA offers some data-backed insight into just how likely it is that there will be snow on the ground when jolly old St. Nick comes tumbling down your chimney with a bag full of presents.

While it's a pretty much foregone conclusion that there will be snow come Christmas day in places like northern Maine, upstate New York and, as the NOAA says, pretty much anywhere in Idaho, Rhode Island is a bit more unpredictable.

Currently, the long-range forecast is calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-30s Tuesday for most of us. But, we are in New England, after all, where the weather changes faster than Santa's sleigh travels on Christmas Eve, so typically, it could go either way for us. Based on about three decades of climate data, there appears to be between a 26 percent and 60 percent chance of a white Christmas. 

It probably comes as no surprise that those near the coast fall on the lower end of the probability range, while those in the northwestern part of the state (we're looking at you, Foster-Gloster) have a greater chance.

For the purposes of this probability map, it's worth noting that the NOAA considers a white Christmas one inch of snow on the ground at 6 a.m on Dec. 25.

What's your prediction for a white Christmas this year?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here