The forecast for Christmas Eve points to mild weather without snow in most of Sweden. Meteorologists warn of continued warm and wet December conditions, though the north has seen snowfall. A small chance exists for snow in the south if cold air moves southward.
December has so far been warm, wet, and gray in many parts of Sweden. With just ten days left until Christmas Eve, the chances of snow are small in most of the country. According to SMHI meteorologist Erik Höjgård-Olsen, most signals point to milder weather than normal, and the mild air is expected to persist until December 24.
"Most signals overall indicate milder weather than normal," says Höjgård-Olsen. He assesses the probability of a white Christmas Eve as low, but notes that northern Norrland's inland and mountain areas have recently received significant snowfall with depths between half a meter and one meter. For those seeking a white Christmas, he recommends traveling as far north as possible.
In Dalarna, where several ski resorts have opened for the season, snow is notably absent. The landscape is green and brown during the third Advent. SVT meteorologist Marcus Sjöstedt describes the weather as characterized by mild winds, occasional snow but also rain, with temperatures on the plus side. "It has happened before that winter weather arrives just in time for Christmas," he says, adding that no signs of change are visible right now.
A potential shift could occur if a cold air mass north of Scandinavia moves southward next week. "If we get signals during this period that the cold air seeks southward before Christmas Eve, then we have a completely different air mass," explains Höjgård-Olsen. However, it must bring snowfall to provide a white Christmas even in southern parts.