[New] Dreaming of a White Christmas

JIM RIDOLPHI Contributing Columnist

Those of you who wished for a white Christmas didn’t get what they wanted this season; but, it did look close for a while.

A recent cold snap heightened hopes for that segment of the population who envision a storybook scene each year – a wish that comes up short most years.

Honestly, Richmond is not ground zero when it comes to holiday precipitation, and it has been noted in published reports there is only a 7% chance the metro area will experience snow on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

But, what exactly defines what qualifies as a White Christmas? Does snow left on the ground from a previous snowfall count? What if it snows but none sticks? According to Google, a White Christmas is defined as at least 1 inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. on Christmas Day.

Richmond’s last qualifier came in 2009 when around a couple of inches remained on the ground from a previous snowfall on Christmas morning.

In more recent years, snow has fallen on Christmas Day, but not at the correct time to satisfy the sticky requirements. In 2010, the city experienced what most of us would consider a White Christ- mas. Snow began falling in the afternoon and continued through the night resulting in a major winter storm for the area.

That episode provided snow whisperers a realistic glance to what a snowstorm can actually do to disrupt holiday plans, delay family visits or cancel some of those favorite holiday activities. That path to Grandma’s house could be covered, and ice covered roads are not conducive to those seeking that special after Christmas shopping special.

But, for those who still insist that snow and Christmas have an unbreakable connection, there are places where snow during the holidays is almost a regular occurrence.

The answer is almost nostalgic. Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, is a good bet for a White Christmas with an 80% chance of the snow on Dec. 25. The state is the setting for one of the season’s iconic movies, White Christmas.

Unfortunately, the storm heading for town days before Christmas is expected to be more wet than white, and another year passes without the illusive White Christmas coming to Richmond.

In a lifetime, one would be considered lucky if they awoke to one Christmas with windows fogged and blocked with snow.

We often spent the holidays of the passageway once you

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But the storm that hit one eventful Christmas morning was unexpected; or maybe we just didn’t enjoy the benefits of the Weather Channel.

It snowed more than a foot that evening, and Christmas morning arrived with an eerie stillness as a frigid sleet continued to fall. Nothing moved on the street.

My grandmother led us on a death defying walk though deep snow for the traditional trip to church. As a child, I only remember the hall leading to the sanctuary lined with boots, each surrounded by a puddle of water.

The weather didn’t hamper my grandmother’s ability to cook a giant meal; or my uncle’s ability to pull out an old accordion and perform a collection of Christmas songs.

That Christmas many decades ago provided me with that one special White Christmas, and the memory has left me hoping for another.

There’s always next year. Think snow!!

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