More people are enjoying a White Christmas this year versus last year, with more of the United States covered in snow this Christmas 2024 than in 2023. Analysis from the U.S. National Ice Center shows more snow over the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and California as well as the upper Midwest and much of the Northeast. Portions of Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska have much less snow this year than last year but the overall national coverage is greater this year.

 

Portions of the Rockies and the Northeast picked up additional snow over the last 24 hours, with amounts over a foot falling over the highest terrain of California. Widespread light snow dusted portions of eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, and southern New England yesterday, with heavier amounts upwards of 3-6″ falling over Maine.

 

Overall there has been considerable snowfall across the U.S. thus far this winter, with significant snowfall in the Rockies and down-wind of the Great Lakes in the Northeast measured and reported.

Overall snowfall across the northern hemisphere is a bit above average for now but it’s too early to know with certainty how the snowcover today will help produce more cold and snow across the hemisphere over the coming months of winter. The northern polar region is covered in ice and snow as are large parts of northern North America and Siberia and northern Europe.