Will Memphis have a white Christmas? See the forecast
The National Weather Service recently released its outlooks for temperature and precipitation for Christmas, and sadly, Heat Miser is back in town for the holidays.
Across the nation, temperatures are predicted to be higher than average. In Memphis, the average temperature on Christmas Day is 54 degrees. The nationwide outlook has above-normal wetter conditions in the West and below-normal conditions in the Northeast with very little change for Memphis.
While Memphis is not used to seeing white on Christmas day, many people still ask Santa for snow every year. Still, it doesn't seem like Santa will make everyone's wishes come true this year.
Here is what the National Weather Service says about the weather over Christmas this year.
What will temperatures look like in Memphis on Christmas?
There is no prediction for actual temperatures yet. However, Memphis has 60-70% chance of having higher-thannormal temperatures on Christmas.
This would mean that Christmas in Memphis might not face frigid, icy temperatures. The average high on Christmas Day is 48 degrees, and the average low is 33 degrees. So, Christmas may be warmer, but it likely won't be hot.
In the past five years, Christmas has averaged 54 degrees. Two of those years hit above 70 degrees, and two other years hit a high of 33 degrees.
Will Christmas be rainy this year in Memphis?
Based on the National Weather Service's map, Memphis is predicted to have a 33-40% chance of below-normal average amounts of rainfall this year. The average precipitation on Christmas day is .18 inches.
What is the likelihood of Memphis getting snow on Christmas this year?
According to the National Weather Service, there is a 0% chance Memphis will get snow on Christmas Day this year. Memphis has not had a Christmas with true snowfall, meaning measurable ammounts, in the past 19 years. There were trace amounts of snow in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2022, but none of the snow stuck to the ground.
When was the last white Christmas in Memphis?
The last true white Christmas in Memphis happened in 2004. The city saw 2 inches of snow on the 25th that year. 2004 saw a high of 35 degrees and a low of 15 degrees.
How often does Memphis get snow on Christmas?
It isn't very often that Memphis sees a white Christmas. Since snowfall record-keeping began in 1889, there have been 5 white Christmases in 133 years. This is about 4% of the winters that have occurred. In the past 20 years, there has only been one Christmas with snow.
Years Memphis saw true snowfall: h 1913 with 3.5 inches of snow. h 1962 with 2 inches of snow. h 1963 with 10 inches of snow. This is the most snow Memphis has ever seen on Christmas Day. h 1998 with 1 inch of snow. h 2004 with 2 inches of snow.
Years Memphis saw trace amounts of snowfall on the ground: h 1897 h 1966 h 1980 h 1990 h 2022
What other Christmas Day records are there for Memphis?
Warmest: 2021 with a high of 77 degrees. The second was in 1889 with a high of 76 degrees.
Coldest: 1983 with a low of 0 degrees. The second was in 1962 with a low of 7 degrees.
Jordan Green covers trending news for the Usatoday Network. She can be reached via email at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter/x @_green_jordan_.