Some of the Most Unusual White Christmas Events Over History

A white Christmas is a rarity for most places of the U.S. Most meteorologists define a white Christmas as one with at least one inch of snow covering the ground when the sun rises on Christmas morning. This December has featured frequent bouts of Arctic air, raising the hopes of some Americans that Christmas will turn into a winter wonderland. Even with the persistent surge of cold air and wintry precipitation as of late, the current snow cover map across the U.S. is rather spotty.

While some of the mountainous regions and northern reaches of the country can count on a magical snowy Christmas, most areas are not as lucky. However, every now and then, Mother Nature sends the flakes flying in unexpected places. Here is a look back at some of the most unlikely places to see snow on the holiday over the past several years.

Southern Blizzard - 2009

Oklahoma City has had its fair share of wintry weather over the years, but nothing compared to the Christmas of 2009 when a whopping 13.5 inches of snow leveled the city. In addition to the heavy snow, the blizzard conditions produced wind gusts of over 60 mph.

Will Rogers Airport was forced to close due to the conditions, stranding both travelers and workers. Local officials declared a state of emergency as long swaths of interstates 35, 40, and 44 were closed as the snow piled up and drifted.

The line of snow generated by this blizzard crept as far south as Dallas. The metroplex reported 3 inches of snow, good enough to deliver the first white Christmas Eve. The Dallas area also saw its first white Christmas since 1926. Heading to the northwest of Fort Worth, the community of Montague County saw snow hit levels of 9 inches. Winds gusts clocking in at speeds of 65 mph sent snow drifting to up to 5 feet.