As the festive season approaches, the dream of waking up to a picturesque “White Christmas” captivates the imagination of many. But what constitutes a “White Christmas,” and how often does it occur in the city of Denver? Let’s delve into the historical data from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) to uncover the enchanting tales of snowy Christmases past [Fig. 1 and 2].
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Defining a White Christmas in Denver
According to the National Weather Service, a “White Christmas” in Denver is defined as “having 1 inch or more of snow on the ground Christmas morning”. The probability of this phenomenon stands at approximately 37%, with 45 days of snowy magic recorded in the 123 years since snow depth measurements began in 1900. For those dreaming of measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more) on Christmas Day, the odds decrease to about 14%, representing 20 snowy days in the 141 years since snowfall measurements began in 1882.
In the last three decades, Denver has experienced measurable snowfall on 7 out of 30 Christmas Days, equating to a 23% chance. Meanwhile, those hoping for a winter wonderland with 1 inch or more of snow on the ground have seen their dreams come true in 13 of the last 30 years, boasting a 43% chance. The most substantial Christmas snowfall reached 7.8 inches in 2007, while the deepest snow cover recorded after the Christmas Eve blizzard of 1982 reached an impressive 24 inches.
Snowy Rankings and Weather Extremes Based on Data from the NWS:
Top 10 Snowiest Christmases (1882-Present)
7.8 inches (2007)
6.4 inches (1894)
3.4 inches (2014)
2.3 inches (2015)
1.7 inches (1912)
1.5 inches (1941)
1.4 inches (1939)
1.2 inches (1964)
0.7 inches (2012)
0.6 inches (1916)
Top 10 Snow Depths on Christmas (1900-Present)
24 inches (1982)
19 inches (1913)
15 inches (2006)
12 inches (1973)
11 inches (1918)
6 inches (1941, 1924)
5 inches (1983, 1981, 1926)
Denver’s Christmas temperatures have also witnessed extremes, with the coldest recorded at a bone-chilling -15 degrees in 1876 and the warmest at a balmy 69 degrees in 2005.
Beyond White Christmases: Temperature Records in Colorado
While the concept of a White Christmas steals the spotlight, Colorado boasts a trove of temperature records worth exploring. From the coldest Christmas in 1876 to the warmest in 2005, each year’s temperature tells a unique story.
Top 10 Coldest Christmases (1872-Present)
-15 degrees (1876)
-11 degrees (1879)
-10 degrees (1983, 1962)
-8 degrees (1962)
-4 degrees (1891)
-3 degrees (1878)
-2 degrees (1987, 1884)
-1 degree (2009)
0 degrees (2012)
Top 10 Warmest Christmases (1872-Present)
69 degrees (2005)
66 degrees (1955, 1971)
65 degrees (1929, 1946, 1961)
63 degrees (1950)
62 degrees (1889, 1959, 1963, 1980)
Top 10 Lowest Max Christmases (1872-Present)
10 degrees (1876)
13 degrees (1962)
16 degrees (1878)
18 degrees (1894, 1939)
19 degrees (1973, 1983)
19 degrees (1981, 1924)
Top 10 Warmest Min Christmases (1872-Present)
45 degrees (1899)
40 degrees (1872, 1889, 1929)
36 degrees (1892)
35 degrees (2005)
34 degrees (1883, 1919)
33 degrees (1950)
32 degrees (1922, 1931, 1946, 1961)
As we anticipate the magic of Christmas, these historical weather records add an extra layer of fascination to the season. Whether imagining a snowy scene or embracing the warmth, Christmases in Denver have a diverse history that many will remember far into the future.