Snowfall forecast for St. Martin's Day in Czechia: Will your region get it?

Tomorrow the Czech Republic observes St. Martin's Day. The feast day of Nov. 11 aligns with the start of wintry weather in Central Europe, with folksy sayings like "Martin is coming on a white horse" symbolizing the arrival of snow.

There may be some truth in the ancient weather lore. Czech meteorologists have forecast snowfall in some parts of the Czech Republic tomorrow, possibly fulfilling the prophecy associated with the saint.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said that while snowfall would primarily accumulate in mountainous regions (Friday saw a light snow cover fall in the Šumava and Giant Mountains, with even more substantial accumulation in Sněžka) some lower lying parts of Czechia could also get a dusting of snow on Saturday.

Saturday's weather forecasts snow at elevations of 600 meters above sea level. The institute highlighted the likelihood of snow alternating with rainfall at altitudes as low as 700 meters. Continuous snow cover is expected to form in the mountains, possibly accumulating up to 10 centimeters, primarily on the Šumava ridges well into next week.

Meteorologists also anticipate snowfall in the Moravian-Silesian and South Moravian regions this weekend. Snowfall could persist into Sunday, particularly in the northeastern mountainous areas.

The forecast for the upcoming week predicts more snow in the mountains, especially in the latter half of next week, the snow limit could decrease below the projected 700 to 600-meter range which could mean areas closer to the capital would see snow. See a regional map of the Czech Republic according to latitudes here.

Despite the news, chances for a white Christmas remain slim. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said that El Niño's influence will extend until April 2024, with predictions of above-average temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe likely to diminish the possibility of a white Christmas.

Czech meteorologists expect a 1 to 2-degree rise in temperatures above the seasonal average over the next three months.