NYC Has First White Christmas Eve in Over Two Decades but Not for Long

For the first time in over two decades, New York City was treated to a dusting of snow on Christmas Eve. While it’s not quite a winter wonderland, the light blanket of snow brought holiday cheer to residents and visitors alike—if only for a fleeting moment.

By mid-morning Tuesday, Central Park recorded an inch of snow, marking the most snowfall on Christmas Eve since 1998, when two inches fell. But don’t expect the snow to stick around—the sun is set to shine on Christmas Day, with temperatures climbing to a high of 35°F. Warmer weather later in the week will melt any remnants of the holiday dusting, leaving the city with a snowless Christmas, something New Yorkers have grown accustomed to.

Meteorologist Stephanie van Oppen of FOX Weather confirmed the fleeting nature of this festive snowfall. “We hope you enjoyed it while it was here this morning,” she told The Post, noting the snow clouds had already moved offshore by noon.

Despite its brevity, the snow sparked joy across the city. Prospect Park and Central Park buzzed with people reveling in the rare sight of snow-covered trees and pathways. “It’s more than we’ve had for so long—which is nothing!” said Meagan Finn, 26.

Others expressed nostalgia for snowier holidays of the past. “Every year, we hope it will snow, and it just hasn’t happened. But this year, it was lovely to walk outside and see the snow on the ground,” shared Susan Ginsberg, a social worker who admitted she’d prefer a full-on blizzard.

For some, the snowfall made Christmas feel complete. Security guard Julian Gonsalves, 67, said waking up to snow reminded him of the classic holiday song “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” He added, “Without snow, there is no Christmas. This is what Christmas is about.”

Visitors to the Big Apple were equally thrilled. British couple Jim Thornton and Emma Sherston extended their trip, hoping for snow—and their gamble paid off. “It just makes it feel like a more traditional Christmas,” Thornton said, calling the experience “childishly exciting.”

While meteorologists predict little chance of more snow before the year ends, New Yorkers made the most of the moment. After all, as Ginsberg put it, “It’s peaceful and playful… and it hearkens back to family and childhood.”