US Winter Forecast: Heavy Snowfall, Polar Vortex Threats And Nor’easters Ahead | Here’s What To Expect

US winter 2025–26 forecast: As the temperature drops and autumn cedes to winter, vast swaths of the United States are gearing up for an early and intense beginning to the 2025-26 snow season. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service and NOAA forecast above-average snowfall for northern and central regions, largely driven by a developing La Niña pattern.

Early Snowfall Begins In Rockies

Mountain states like Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado have already reported light snow in higher elevations, with the accumulations expected to build through October. Other cities that will experience earlier-than-average first significant snowfalls this year include Buffalo, Minneapolis, and Bismarck.

The southern states, such as Texas, Georgia, and Alabama, are forecasted to remain mostly dry until late December, with some of them not experiencing measurable snow at all.

The NOAA Winter Outlook for December 2025-February 2026 shows a stark regional contrast. The Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Lakes might be wetter and colder than average, while the southern half of the country could stay drier and relatively mild.

NYC Could See Up To 20 Inches Of Snow

The return of La Niña, a climate phenomenon characterised by cooler temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, will play a major role in how this winter's weather will unfold. Traditionally, it has brought colder and snowier conditions to the northern United States and drier weather to the south.

In the Northeast, New York City is expected to get between 15 and 20 inches of snow, according to FOX 5 NY’s meteorologist Nick Gregory. Neighboring regions including New Jersey and the Hudson Valley could see higher totals of 20–25 inches, with the possibility of two or three nor’easters affecting the region.

Historically, the first measurable snow in NYC falls around mid-December. But a colder setup this year could push that time frame up by a week or two.

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NWS Urges Early Preparedness

With parts of the north already seeing early-season snow, the National Weather Service is reminding residents to check their vehicles, heating systems, and emergency supplies. Icy roads, flight delays, and visibility issues are expected during the first major storms of the season.

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Even as global warming has raised average winter temperatures since the early 1900s, scientists say that warming can intensify extreme snowfall by allowing the atmosphere to hold more moisture and leading to heavier, more localised storms.