Winter has arrived early in several French departments, with heavy snowfall expected in various regions. The Pyrenees have already experienced snowfall, and areas such as Chamonix, Isère, Hautes-Alpes, and Briançon in the southeast are set to receive snow this week. The regions of Savoie, Vosges, Franche-Comté, Alsace, Haute-Marne, and Auvergne are also expected to see significant snowfall. The early winter is attributed to a disturbance from Scandinavia, bringing cold polar winds. However, it is noted that early snowfall does not necessarily indicate a global weather pattern, as France experienced an exceptionally warm winter in 2019. The Cévennes region in France is also experiencing heavy snowfall, creating a beautiful white landscape. Ski resorts in the Pyrenees have had to delay their opening due to the lack of snow. However, the recent snowfall in the Cévennes has brought a winter wonderland to the region, with temperatures reaching as low as -14°C. The weather is expected to improve in the coming days, with rising temperatures and the cessation of snowfall.
According to MeteoNews, the chances of having a white Christmas in Switzerland this year are higher than in previous years. A 'white Christmas' is defined as having at least one centimeter of snow on the ground in the plains on December 24, 25, or 26 at 7 am. The last white Christmas in most of Switzerland was in 2010. Some regions have had more white Christmases than others, with Saint-Gall having 12 since 2001. This year, meteorologists predict a snowy scenario with precipitation next week followed by a dry period and the possibility of snowfall just before Christmas. While the trend is still uncertain, there is a chance of a white Christmas this year.
In the United States, FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender discusses the areas with the best chance for a white Christmas. The Christmas Day weather forecast across the U.S. is being closely watched, with people hoping for a snowy holiday. While the forecast is subject to change, some areas in the northern states, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, have a higher likelihood of experiencing a white Christmas. Other regions, including parts of the Rocky Mountains and the Northeast, may also see snowfall on Christmas Day. However, it is important to note that weather patterns can shift, and the forecast may vary as the day approaches.
In the Mid-Atlantic region, there is uncertainty about whether snow and winter are completely over. Meteorologists Joe Martucci and Sean Sublette provide their insights on the topic. They mention that warm weather is expected next week, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s from New York to North Carolina. However, they do not definitively state whether winter and snow are completely over. [c6b5ecbe]
Sources:
- [8ada551f] [f8767f99] [b3d220d6] for snowfall in French regions and chances of a white Christmas in Switzerland
- [a91d476a] for Christmas Day weather forecast in the U.S.
- [c6b5ecbe] for the possibility of winter ending in the Mid-Atlantic region