Carol Connare says the winter weather forecast for Winter 2026–2027 is not uniform. The Old Farmer's Almanac expects mild spells, sudden freezes, and heavy snow events across parts of the United States.
“Winter won’t look the same everywhere this year,” Connare said. “While much of the country is headed for a milder season, some areas will still see plenty of cold and snow.”
Central New England and the Appalachians
The heaviest snowfall is forecast from central New England through the Appalachians, across the Intermountain region and Pacific Northwest, and into Alaska. In the southern portion of the Northeast, above-normal snowfall is expected in mid- and late December, mid-January, and early and late March.
Northern Appalachian residents, especially in higher elevations, are expected to see significant accumulation during mid-January and throughout February. The forecast also says the most intense prolonged cold will stretch from central New England southward through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley, with the coldest spells in the southern Northeast and the Appalachian region expected from mid-January through mid- to late February.
Intermountain region and Pacific Northwest
The Intermountain region is expected to see its snowiest stretches in late November, late December, and early February. In the Pacific Northwest, heavy snow events are expected in late December, mid-January, and mid-February.
Mountain properties in the Pacific Southwest can also expect robust snowfall after the start of the new year. For homeowners, that means planning for roof snow load, ice dams, frozen plumbing, and drainage problems during sudden thaws before the season settles in.
Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska is expected to see above-average snowfall throughout an extended season, with peak accumulation in mid-November, early and late January, mid-February, and late March. Homeowners in Hawaii are expected to experience below-normal temperatures throughout the winter, with the coolest periods in early-to-mid November, early December, late January into early February, and early March.
That split is the point of the forecast: much of the country is still expected to have milder winter conditions overall, yet several regions are set up for heavier snow and sharper cold. Some of the snowfall activity will be influenced by the Super El Niño giving way into a more active La Niña season, and the real test comes when Winter 2026–2027 begins to unfold.
