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How often is there a white Christmas in Denmark?

A white Christmas Eve is the exception, not the rule.

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Short answer

A nationwide white Christmas in Denmark is rare: there have been only 9 since 1900, roughly one every 13 years. It counts when more than 90 % of the country is covered by more than 0,5 cm of snow on the afternoon of 24 December. The chance in a given year is about 7 %. In about 2 out of 3 years, Christmas Eve is grey and mild.

Christmas weather

Why

  1. December is one of the mildest winter months in Denmark.
  2. Snow has to cover almost the whole country to count.
  3. A light dusting or frost does not count as snow cover.

Details

Snow that fell several days before Christmas also counts, as long as it is still there on the afternoon of 24 December.

Tip

Plan your Christmas trip around lights, markets and indoor hygge, and see snow as a bonus.

What may differ

Some years fall in between: the south can be grey and mild while the north has frost and snow.

Common misconception

Danish Christmas used to be white almost every year.

What actually happens

Even in the 1900s, nationwide white Christmases came only a few times per decade at most.

People also ask

  • When was the last white Christmas in Denmark?
  • Does it snow in Copenhagen?
  • When does it usually snow in Denmark?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the DMI forecast before you travel.

Christmas weather
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