7 cities where a white Christmas is reality
Dreams of a white Christmas come true in these major cities.
The Northern Hemisphere is the place to be for snow in December. But still, weather is dramatically different even in this half of the Earth. We can picture mountaintop villages embraced by snowflakes and as you may have guessed, much of Canada is prime for flurries. However, let’s take a look at the United States and which major urban areas expect a white Christmas each year. Can you guess which big cities are often covered in a blanket of snow on the 25th?
Let it snow
7. Burlington, VT
About 40 minutes from the Canadian border and under two hours from New York’s highest mountains, Burlington is a prime candidate for snow. Combined with Vermont’s abundant forests, this weather sets up remarkable scenery.
6. Madison, WI
It may be the southernmost city on our list but Madisonians are no strangers to snow. The region’s ski areas are popular attractions for both the people of Wisconsin and day-trippers from Illinois.
5. Rochester, MN
Minnesota in general is a very snowy state, especially for a region without high mountain ranges. About an hour and a half south of the Twin Cities, Rochester falls in the paths of many winter storms.
4. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis boasts one feature that sets it apart from other winter cities: a network of footbridges built for climate-controlled walkability. While nearby Rochester has a similar setup, the Minneapolis Skyway System is the longest of its kind in the world. Getting around downtown is simple, even during a blizzard.
3. St. Paul, MN
Twin city to Minneapolis, St. Paul shares the same climate. In fact, it’s only a matter of inches that separates these two places in our list. But if you’re looking for that little extra difference when it comes to a snowy landscape, St. Paul is the way to go.
2. Fargo, ND
In the contiguous 48 states, Fargo is at the top of the list. It may be surprising but Fargo is farther north than Burlington and only a few hours south of Winnipeg, Canada. As a result of its location, the city experiences quite a lot of snowfall, making the chances of a white Christmas very good.
1. Anchorage, AK
If you’re looking for a white Christmas day, there’s no better city in the U.S. than Anchorage. The “City of Lights and Flowers” is also the city of snow and it’s almost guaranteed each year that there will be snow on the ground when December 25th comes around.
Have fun this holiday
Snowcapped mountains
While there’s always snowballs, snowmen, and snow angels no matter which wintery city you live in, some of the cities on our list have a very distinct advantage: mountains. In Anchorage’s grand backdrop winter sports come to life. And not far from Burlington are several famous ski resorts. Adding to the culture, Burlington is also home to the world headquarters of Burton Snowboards.
Other Christmas celebrations
While many cities in the country aren’t visited by winter storms before the holidays, there are great traditions nonetheless. A great example is Georgetown Glow in Washington, DC. While still a relatively new event, the lighting and art showcase has already become a popular attraction. Every year elaborate decorations fill the streets of this historic neighborhood to celebrate the yuletide. If you’re in the nation’s capital during the month of December, be sure to take a walking tour of the light shows and enjoy some late-night dining and shopping.
Sing along to “White Christmas”
The song “White Christmas”, performed by Bing Crosby, is the best-selling physical single of all time. Over 50 million people around the globe have a copy of this popular Christmas tune. And there’s truth in the line, “just like the ones I used to know”. In Bing’s hometown of Spokane, WA, there’s typically a 60% chance of snow being around for Christmas day.
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