Discover the Biggest Snowstorm to Ever Hit Ohio on Christmas

Unlike in the Midwest, waking up to a fresh blanket of snow on Christmas in Ohio isn’t expected. But it’s possible. Over a century ago, the record for the most snowfall was set and remains. Keep reading to discover the biggest snowstorm to ever hit Ohio on Christmas Day and some other record-breaking December snowfall.  

The Biggest Snowstorm to Ever Hit Ohio on Christmas

The biggest snowstorm to ever hit Ohio on Christmas covered the ground in Toledo with 10.8 inches of snow in 1909. Less than a decade earlier, in 1900, Toledo experienced its biggest snowstorm to date. A whopping 20.2 inches of snow engulfed the city from February 28 to March 1. That’s a lot of snow, even for Toledo.

Although Toledo and other parts of the state continue to enjoy the occasional White Christmas, the snowstorm in 1909 still holds the record for the most snowfall on Christmas Day in Ohio. Since then, the most snow to fall on Christmas was 10.2 inches in 2022. This time, residents in Cleveland were affected.  

What Are the Chances of a White Christmas in Ohio?

A White Christmas is defined as a Christmas Day – sometimes Christmas Eve, depending on the regional tradition – with a minimum of one inch of snow on the ground. The 1909 snowstorm in Toledo delivered, but what are the chances of it happening again? 

Meteorologists estimate nearly a 30 percent chance of a White Christmas in Ohio. Overall, Northern Ohio has seen about 1 inch of snow on Christmas two out of every five years. So, although it’s unlikely to top the biggest snowstorm to ever hit Ohio on Christmas Day, you might get lucky and see a dusting of snow. But it depends on where you are. Weather varies considerably, which means it can snow in Cleveland while those in Cincinnati get blue skies and sunshine.      

Notable December Snowstorms in Ohio 

December is actually the third snowiest month for Ohio. In fact, the snowiest month in the Buckeye State is January. Cleveland averages about 18 inches of snow throughout the month, while cities like Akron see closer to 13 inches of snow. However, some of Ohio’s record-breaking winter storms took place in December. Below are a couple of Ohio’s most notable December snowstorms. 

Great Christmas Blizzard of 1983

Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania experienced the coldest Christmas in 1983. Below-zero temperatures and 6 to 20 inches of snow caused roads to close and utilities to go out. The weather outside was so dangerous some people got frostbite. Conditions lasted from December 22 to December 26. 

These record-cold temperatures led to the Great Freeze of 1983. Snow covered 74 percent of North America. The record-breaking cold temperatures were a shock following record-breaking warm temperatures in 1982.

Christmas Snowstorm of 2004

With a name like The Christmas Snowstorm of 2004, you would think it was the biggest snowstorm to ever hit Ohio on Christmas. Why isn’t it? Well, the Christmas Snowstorm of 2004 swept through the Ohio Valley from December 22 to December 23, just missing the holiday. 

Only two heavy bursts blew nearly 30 inches of snow across several counties north of the Ohio River into Indiana. Over 16 inches of snow buried the Dayton International Airport, breaking the 12.9-inch record held by the Blizzard of 1978 in the area. Moreover, southern counties saw over 6 inches of sleet while thundersnow and thundersleet reached Indiana and Kentucky.  

The blizzard overlapped with the also record-breaking Great Christmas Eve Snowstorm that swept across Texas. Snowfall ranged anywhere from 1 inch in Pasadena to 13 inches in Brazoria.     

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Дмитрий Ларичев/iStock via Getty Images