Will Tri-Cities have a white Christmas? Here’s what the forecast says for snow next week

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

For generations, the coveted white Christmas has been a common wish across the country. Waking up Christmas morning to a blanket of fluffy snow is desired by kids and adults alike, but it’s a rare get in Tri-Cities.

It’s considered a white Christmas by the National Weather Service if there is at least one inch of snow on the ground, so ice or a light dusting of snow won’t cut it.

So, what are the chances we’ll see snow in Tri-Cities this Christmas Day?

Will Tri-Cities have snow on Christmas?

It is very unlikely there will be snow in the Tri-Cities area on Christmas Day.

The Farmers’ Almanac has released its white Christmas forecast for 2024. The zone including Washington, Oregon and Idaho has a “fair skies, dry, cold” forecast for Christmas.

In fact, most of the country won’t see a white Christmas, according to the map, except for a handful of states in the northeast.

This forecast matches the Weather Service’s outlook for the area. Meteorologists with the NWS in Pendleton are forecasting temperatures in the 30s and 40s through Christmas, with some rain next week.

“I would say there’s a very low chance of having a white Christmas at this time,” stated meteorologist Camden Plunkett in a phone interview. “Probably a wet Christmas, but not a white Christmas.”

While it’s still early for a positive forecast, there’s likely less than a 5% chance of snow by then, according to Plunkett. The weather systems expected this weekend will be warm, so surprise snowstorms are unlikely.