Climate Change
By Javed Baloch Dated 22/12/2024
From 1972 to 2020, snow-covered areas in North America shrank by 1,870 square miles annually, according to Rutgers University’s Global Snow Lab.
As global temperatures rise due to human-caused climate change, the chances of a snowy Christmas are fading.
Warmer winters mean less snow overall and more rain during what used to be snow-heavy months.
Not all areas are seeing less snow. Regions near the Great Lakes are experiencing more snowfall due to increased precipitation.
Snowfall Decline: 57% of U.S. stations report decreasing snowfall since 1930, averaging 0.19% less snow per year (EPA).
Shorter Snow Season: From 1972 to 2013, the U.S. snow season has on average shortened by nearly two weeks (NOAA).
NOAA’s updated "white Christmas" maps reveal more regions now have less than a 10% chance of snow on Christmas Day.
What Counts as a White Christmas? To qualify, there must be at least one inch of snow on the ground.
In 2009, 63% of the U.S. had snow. In last year, it dropped to just 17.6%. (Weather.com) As the world gets warmer, snowy Christmas mornings might become a thing of the past for future generations.