White Christmas. A wish that has been increasingly less fulfilled in recent years. This year too, temperatures are significantly above average. But that could change from Friday: a cold front with some fresh snow is on its way in the Northern Alps. On krone.at you can see where the chances of a white holiday are high.
There are good chances of snowfall on December 24, especially in the north and west of Austria, including Vorarlberg and western Lower Austria. Meteorologists from GeoSphere Austria report a high chance of snowfall in these regions. But while snow is expected in the Northern Alps just in time for Christmas Eve, the forecast for the lowlands looks a little less favorable…
Probability higher than 600 meters
According to experts from the Austrian Severe Weather Center (UWZ), the chances of the emerging northwesterly current are rather small. In the Northern Alps, on the other hand, one can be quite optimistic – especially at altitudes above 600 to 800 metres.
In general, the higher the altitude, the greater the chance of a white Christmas. In places above 1200 meters, such as Damüls (Vorarlberg), snow is almost guaranteed at Christmas. But the chance of snow is also very high in Obertauern (Salzburg) or Obergurgl (Tyrol).
Rarely a white Christmas in the lowlands
In general, according to the UWZ, the chance is more than 90 percent in the Alps from an altitude of about 1200 meters. In higher valleys around 800 meters the chance is still 70 percent, in larger valleys around 600 meters it is only 40 percent. White Christmases are rare in the lowlands. In Vienna, for example, the chance is only 20 percent and the trend continues downwards.
An analysis by GeoSphere Austria shows that Christmas in Austria has become an average of one to two degrees warmer in recent decades and that the chance of a white Christmas in the lower areas has decreased significantly. In the past 10 years there has only been a white Christmas in Innsbruck and Klagenfurt, most recently in Klagenfurt in 2021.
Longest “green series” in St. Pölten
The state capital with the currently longest “green range” is St. Pölten. The last time there was a blanket of snow at least a centimeter deep here on at least one Christmas day (December 24, 25 or 26) was in 2007.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
