With this weather, we likely have a brown Christmas ahead of us

As Calgarians enjoy the above-seasonal weather this week, it also means it likely won't be a white Christmas.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Calgary can expect several more days of positive temperatures and dry conditions, dashing all hopes of a winter wonderland.

"Unless Santa is bringing the snow with him on the sled, it looks pretty slim right now," said ECCC meteorologist Christy Climenhaga.

The weather service defines a white Christmas as having more than two centimetres of snow on the ground as of 5 a.m. Christmas morning.

As of Monday, there were still about two centimetres of snow left at the airport, but with the melt-weather temperatures forecasted, Calgary should get a brown Christmas.

ECCC says since 1955, Calgary has had a 62 per cent chance of a white Christmas.

"Last year, it was officially a white Christmas, with three centimetres reported at the airport," said Climenhaga.

"The year before that, a brown Christmas and a good chunk in the earlier 2000s, between 2002 and 2007, you had a solid five years of brown Christmases.

Despite the traditionally not very festive forecast, many Calgarians are calling the warm weather a gift.

"I love being able to get outside. I'd take this over -20 any day," said Matt Sticksl, who was out skating with his family on Monday.

"I mean, I love a white Christmas. I don't love when Calgary starts looking grey and all brown, but I am very thankful that we can actually be outside and not freezing," said Amy Howe, who was also out skating on Monday.