Burlington, VT – Vermont is heading into a colder and wetter pattern for the December 13–26 period, boosting the state’s chances of enjoying a white Christmas this year, according to newly released long-range outlooks from NOAA.
According to NOAA, Vermont is positioned inside a broad “Above Normal” precipitation zone that stretches across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. This setup typically indicates increased storm frequency, giving the state several opportunities for accumulating snow in the lead-up to the holiday.
The temperature outlook is also favorable for snow lovers. Much of Vermont sits within a “Below Normal” temperature corridor, meaning colder-than-average conditions are expected during the second half of December. When paired with above-normal precipitation, the pattern strongly leans toward snow events rather than rain or mixed precipitation.
According to NOAA forecasters, this type of pattern is historically associated with higher odds of snowpack building and persisting through Christmas. Northern and elevated regions of Vermont already enjoy some of the strongest white Christmas probabilities in the country, and this year’s outlook further strengthens those chances. Even lower-elevation and more populated areas such as Burlington and the Champlain Valley stand to benefit from the colder setup.
Specific storm systems cannot be forecast this far out, but meteorologists note that multiple opportunities for impactful winter weather may develop across New England as the holiday approaches. Travel disruptions are possible, especially during the December 20–24 window when storm activity often increases.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts beginning mid-December as confidence grows in snowfall timing and potential accumulations.
