Dec 21, 2023 By Karen Mansfield 2 min read

If you are one of the many dreaming of a white Christmas in Southwestern Pennsylvania, just like the ones you used to know, you likely will be disappointed on Dec. 25.

“This year, it’s not looking good,” said Chris Leonardi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. “I can’t say there’s a zero percent probability, but probably 10% or lower, so if you’re dreaming of a White Christmas you’re probably going to have to keep dreaming.”

The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as one where in which there is at least 1 inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. Christmas Day. The snow can be fresh powder, or left over from a previous snowfall, Leonardi said.

Above-average temperatures are forecast for Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, so while there might be some precipitation, the cold air that is necessary to produce snow will be lacking.

Lows on Christmas Day are expected to be in the mid- to upper 30s, with highs reaching the mid to upper 50s. Rain is expected on Christmas Eve.

“We forecast out seven days, and next Monday is Christmas, so that above-normal temperature forecast is looking very solid. We’re looking at temperatures about 10 degrees above average on Christmas,” Leonardi said.

The last white Christmas in Pittsburgh actually occurred last year, when the high temperature reached 13 degrees.

In 2020, 5.1 inches of snow fell in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day. Prior to that, 7 inches of snow were on the ground on Christmas Day in 1963, but the snowfall occurred before Christmas morning, Leonardi said.

Historically, about 30% of the time, Pittsburgh has a white Christmas.

“Roughly, 1 out of every 3 years we have a white Christmas. But there have been stretches where we haven’t had any,” said Leonardi.

From 2003 to 2008, the region went six years without a white Christmas.

So, apologies to Irving Berlin and anyone who wanted snow on Christmas Day. While your Christmas might not be white, here’s hoping it’s merry and bright.