The chances of a white Christmas in Des Moines and across much of the United States are dwindling, with this year forecasted to be snow-free. A white Christmas is defined as having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. Christmas morning, and the last one in Des Moines was two years ago.
Over the past six decades, the likelihood of experiencing a white Christmas has remained around 46%, with 14 such Christmases observed between 1993 and 2023. Despite the common belief that climate change leads to less snowfall, it actually can result in more intense snowstorms in areas with temperatures hovering around freezing. This is due to warmer air holding more moisture, fueling extreme snowfall events like the historic blizzards in the Northeastern United States in recent years.
December temperatures are steadily rising, with Des Moines seeing a 2.1°F increase in average December temperature since 1878. As temperatures rise, the chances for a white Christmas may decrease, despite short-term increases in snowfall.
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Photo credit iowacapitaldispatch.com
No Chance of a White Christmas in Iowa – Iowa Capital Dispatch
