What Are The Chances Iowa Gets to See a White Christmas This Year?

As a child, it seemed other than presents under the tree, the only thing that mattered at Christmas was snow on the ground. It just wasn't Christmas without snow! How would Santa and his reindeer get around with several inches of the white stuff on the ground for his sleigh? Living in Iowa, we get our fair share of White Christmases. But will 2023 be one of those years?

Before we get to this year's snow forecast, let's look at what history tells us. If you ask most Iowans, they would probably tell you that we have a white Christmas most years. They would be wrong. According to weather.gov, in the 30 years between 1981 and 2010, Iowa had at least one inch of snow on the ground at Christmas during 14 of those years. That equates to a 47% chance of having a white Christmas. Less than half! Obviously, the farther north you go the better your odds of seeing snow gets.

So how does 2023 look? What are our odds of a white Christmas this year? According to the 10-day forecast from our weather partners at KCRG TV-9, not good. This week will start out feeling like wintertime in Iowa, with highs today in the upper 20s. But by later in the week and this weekend, high temperatures will stretch back in the upper 40s and even low 50s.

Your Christmas Eve forecast calls for a chance of rain showers and a high of 52, and on Christmas Day, more rain chances with a high of around 50. While the weather won't make for any beautiful winter landscapes, it will be great for anyone traveling to relatives and friends for Christmas gatherings.

Merry Christmas!