White Christmas In Birmingham? Keep Dreaming

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Christmas in this part of the world is almost synonymous with winter and snow, and even in Birmingham people decorate their houses in "snowy" themes for Christmas. But Birmingham has actually never truly experienced a "white Christmas."

As the National Weather Service says, "As Christmas Day approaches, people across Central Alabama begin dreaming of a White Christmas. However, historical records do not hold much hope for a truly classical White Christmas, that is, snow falling and measurable amounts on the ground on Christmas Day."

In fact, in more than 100 years of weather records in Birmingham, the city has never experienced a white Christmas in the classic sense.

According to the NWS, the closest the Magic City has come to a white Christmas was in 2010. "Flurries (mixed with rain) fell on Christmas day, but snow was not deep enough to measure," the NWS records say. "Many locations, away from the downtown and airport areas, did receive measurable amounts of snow."

Nine other minor snowfall events have occurred in Birmingham — in 1961, 1963, 1966, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, and 1995 — on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Birmingham residents had a slight taste of a white Christmas in 1929. Weather records show that 5.5 inches of snow fell in Birmingham on December 22, 1929. Christmas Eve, 2.5 inches of snow remained on the ground as late as 7 p.m.

"However, most of the snow melted Christmas day when the temperature climbed to 51 degrees," NWS records say.

So what is Christmas 2021 going to be like weather-wise?

Winter weather buffs will be disappointed to know that skies will be sunny and temperatures in Birmingham will reach as high as 72 degrees, with the low hitting around 60.

hence, the dream must remain a dream, at least for another year.