Historical High Country White Christmas Data
❄️ High Country White Christmas History ❄️
A Century of Snowfall Data from North Carolina's Mountains
Have you ever dreamed of a white Christmas in the North Carolina mountains? The High Country region has experienced numerous magical holiday snowfalls throughout its recorded history. This interactive article explores over a century of weather data from historic mountain stations to reveal the fascinating patterns of white Christmases in Boone, Blowing Rock, and Jefferson.
Using data from National Weather Service cooperative stations, we can trace the frequency and intensity of snowfall during the Christmas period from the late 1800s through today.
Boone Weather Stations
Chance of a White Christmas
19 white Christmases out of 51 years recorded
During this period, the station recorded some remarkable holiday snowfalls. The most notable years included major winter storms that blanketed the region during the Christmas season.
Notable White Christmas Years
Jefferson Station (1896-Present)
Chance of a White Christmas
19 white Christmases out of 106 years recorded
While Jefferson experiences white Christmases less frequently than Boone, the station has recorded several significant holiday snowfalls, including memorable events that brought the community together in winter celebration.
Understanding the Data
This historical analysis draws from National Weather Service cooperative observer stations throughout the High Country region. A “white Christmas” is defined as measurable snowfall occurring between December 24th and December 26th.
The data reveals interesting patterns:
- Elevation matters – Higher elevation stations generally show higher white Christmas probabilities
- Decade variations – Some decades experienced more frequent holiday snowfalls than others
- Rare big events – Major snowstorms during Christmas are memorable but uncommon, with most white Christmases bringing modest accumulations
- Long-term records – Century-long datasets help us understand true climatological patterns rather than short-term variations
Whether you're planning holiday travel to the mountains or simply dreaming of a white Christmas, this historical data provides fascinating insights into the winter weather patterns that shape the High Country's holiday character.
Dreaming of a White Christmas?
The National Climate Data Center provides the historical probability of a white Christmas across the nation. The map shows the percentage that a snow depth of at least an inch can be found on December 25. Click on the map for a larger view.
For the High Country data from the State Climate Office shows local NWS Cooperative stations that measured snowfall from Dec 24-26 of the stated year.
*All data from State Climate Office Of North Carolina*
Boone (station 310977 – this station's period of record runs from January 1, 1929 – May 31, 1980)
Year Total Snowfall Observed December 24-26
(inches)
1930 – 1
1935 – 2.5
1938 – 5.5
1939 – 12
1945 – 2
1947 – 1
1948 – 4
1960 – 0.5
1961 – 3
1962 – 2.5
1963 – 1
1965 – 2.5
1966 – 6
1968 – 0.5
1969 – 16
1970 – 1.5
1975 – 1.5
1976 – 0.5
1979 – 3
Frequency of a White Christmas 19 out of 51 (0.373)
Boone 1 Se (station 310982 – this station's period of record runs from July 1, 1980 – current)
Year Total Snowfall Observed December 24-26
(inches)
1983 – 0.5
1985 – 3
1989 – 1
1992 – 1.5
1993 – 3
1995 – 2
2007 – 0.10000000149011612
2009 – 0.30000001192092896
2010 – 4
Frequency of a White Christmas 9 out of 32 (0.281)
Blowing Rock 1nw (station 310901 – this station's period of record runs from January 1, 1893 – June 22, 2009)
Year Total Snowfall Observed December 24-26
(inches)
1912 – 3
1945 – 2
1947 – 1.300000011920929
1948 – 3
1960 – 0.5
1962 – 2
1963 – 1
1966 – 4.899999916553497
1969 – 14
1975 – 0.5
1976 – 2
1981 – 9
1983 – 1.399999976158142
1989 – 0.30000001192092896
1992 – 0.30000001192092896
1993 – 2
2007 – 0.10000000149011612
Frequency of a White Christmas 17 out of 61 (0.279)
Banner Elk (station 310906 – this station's period of record runs from September 1, 1907 – current)
Year Total Snowfall Observed December 24-26
(inches)
1907 – 0.5
1908 – 6
1909 – 10
1913 – 2
1915 – 3
1930 – 1
1933 – 0.30000001192092896
1935 – 4.5
1938 – 3.5
1939 – 1
1944 – 2.0999999046325684
1945 – 2.5
1948 – 4
1961 – 1.5
1962 – 3
1968 – 1
1969 – 16.900000005960464
1970 – 1
1975 – 1.4999999552965164
1979 – 1
1981 – 7
1985 – 4.5
1993 – 5
1995 – 2.4000000059604645
2002 – 3.300000011920929
2003 – 0.20000000298023224
2005 – 1
2010 – 5.100000001490116
2013 – 0.20000000298023224
Frequency of a White Christmas 29 out of 106 (0.274)
Jefferson 2 E – (station 314496 – this station's period of record runs from February 1, 1896 – current)
Year Total Snowfall Observed December 24-26
(inches)
1914 0.5
1915 1
1917 2
1935 1.5
1938 3
1939 5
1945 2
1947 0.20000000298023224
1960 1
1962 4
1963 1
1966 5
1969 14
1970 1
1975 0.5
1976 0.5
1979 0.5
1981 11
2010 4
Frequency of a White Christmas 19 out of 106 (0.179)