Could Portland see a white Christmas this year?
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Christmas is less than two weeks away and Santa's crystal ball is now able to catch a glimpse of the long-range weather forecast for Portland.
Christmas morning dreams of freshly flocked trees and snow-covered lawns are starting to fade. A forecast two weeks away is likely to change, but many weather outlooks are keeping Portland merry and bright with a chance for some sun.
Santa's Christmas Eve flight will likely be dry and chilly along the Willamette Valley this year. Temperatures are trending close to freezing with some clearing skies.
The dry night before Christmas will keep lawns free of wintery views. A sun, cloud mix on Christmas day will help temperatures warm into the mid to upper 40s and possibly even close to 50 degrees.
This year's dry and snow-free outlook shouldn't come as a surprise. Portland usually only has a 1% chance of having a white Christmas. The last snow event at Portland International Airport happened on Christmas day in 2021 when a trace of snow fell. The last time Portland saw more than a trace of snow on Christmas Day was in 2008 when 0.9" of snow fell.
So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this year's forecast is leaning towards a snow-free day, but a mild and dry Christmas will make due for holiday travelers.
A white Christmas can be found over the Cascades above 4,000' where snowy conditions will remain through much of the winter.