# White Christmases in every Romanian town, 1950–2024

In 1951–1980 an average Christmas found snow on the ground (≥ 1 cm, 25 December, 08:00) in the places where 69% of Romania's people live today. The share fell to 55% in 1981–2010 and 43% in 1995–2024.

2,526 of the 3,085 commune and town seats lost at least five white Christmases out of 30 between 1951–1980 and 1995–2024; the typical seat lost eight. Bucharest: 17, 15, 11 out of 30; most recent white Christmas in the grid: 2012 (the Băneasa station logged 1 cm in 2024). Brașov: 27, 20, 16. Places with snow on at least 28 Christmases out of 30: 434 in 1951–1980, 75 in 1995–2024 (Vatra Dornei: 29 out of 30). Constanța: 4 out of 30.

Most widespread white Christmases (share of residents): 1961 (100%), 1969 (100%), 1977 (99%), 1962 (98%), 2001 (98%). Barest: 2006 (1%), 2022 (2%), 1958 (2%), 1989 (4%), 2020 (4%). Deepest cover: 101 cm in 1967, at the grid point of the Maramureș depression (Sighetu Marmației, Vadu Izei).

On 7 January (Old Calendar Christmas), the share of residents with snow on the ground fell from 79% to 55%.

## Big towns, white Christmases out of 30

| Town | 1951–1980 | 1981–2010 | 1995–2024 | Most recent white Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| București | 17 / 30 | 15 / 30 | 11 / 30 | 2012 |
| Cluj-Napoca | 27 / 30 | 23 / 30 | 20 / 30 | 2024 |
| Iași | 23 / 30 | 21 / 30 | 15 / 30 | 2018 |
| Timișoara | 14 / 30 | 10 / 30 | 7 / 30 | 2018 |
| Constanța | 4 / 30 | 3 / 30 | 4 / 30 | 2012 |
| Brașov | 27 / 30 | 20 / 30 | 16 / 30 | 2023 |
| Craiova | 16 / 30 | 13 / 30 | 11 / 30 | 2018 |
| Galați | 15 / 30 | 12 / 30 | 10 / 30 | 2018 |
| Oradea | 16 / 30 | 12 / 30 | 11 / 30 | 2016 |
| Ploiești | 19 / 30 | 16 / 30 | 10 / 30 | 2012 |
| Sibiu | 27 / 30 | 22 / 30 | 24 / 30 | 2024 |
| Târgu Mureș | 23 / 30 | 20 / 30 | 15 / 30 | 2023 |
| Baia Mare | 25 / 30 | 18 / 30 | 17 / 30 | 2023 |
| Buzău | 19 / 30 | 8 / 30 | 5 / 30 | 2012 |
| Suceava | 28 / 30 | 23 / 30 | 17 / 30 | 2024 |
| Miercurea Ciuc | 26 / 30 | 23 / 30 | 21 / 30 | 2023 |
| Predeal | 29 / 30 | 27 / 30 | 26 / 30 | 2024 |
| Vatra Dornei | 29 / 30 | 29 / 30 | 29 / 30 | 2024 |

Source: ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF/Copernicus) via the public ARCO-ERA5 mirror; ground check: NOAA GHCN-Daily (of 211 station reports of Christmas snow in 1978–2024, the reanalysis shows snow in 194 cases; 1951–1980 has no ground check); station climatology 1961–2020 (Amihăesei et al., 2024). Grid of about 25 km; each place uses its nearest grid point. Full page with map and every town's strip: https://mariuscomper.uk/craciun-cu-zapada/en/