Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area
Will ZIP 59044 have a white Christmas?
Snow-on-the-ground odds near Laurel, MT, for December 25, 2026.
The historical picture
The validated 1991–2020 spatial model indicates an estimated 42% chance of at least one inch of snow on the ground at this ZCTA’s Census internal point.
ACS population
12,302
Land area
174.97 sq mi
Nearest station
11 mi
3DEP elevation
3,255 ft
Climate period
1991–2020
This is a Census ZCTA, not a USPS delivery-route boundary. Its internal point is 3 miles from Laurel. The estimate retains all four NOAA source stations and their interpolation weights.
Frequently asked questions
- Will ZIP 59044 have a white Christmas?
- Its validated 1991–2020 historical estimate is 42%, or about about 4 years in 10. Inside the forecast window, live ensemble guidance is blended with that history.
- Is this the exact USPS ZIP boundary?
- No. The Census Bureau creates ZIP Code Tabulation Areas to approximate the geography of USPS ZIP Codes. USPS delivery routes can change and do not form a permanent national polygon dataset.