The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its winter 2026-27 outlook, and while much of the United States could experience a relatively mild season, several regions are expected to see above-normal snowfall.
The publication is forecasting snowier conditions across parts of the Northeast, Appalachians, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West and Alaska.
At the same time, much of the country is expected to experience temperatures near or above seasonal averages.
The result could be a winter defined less by widespread extreme cold and more by sharp regional differences in snowfall.
What the Old Farmer’s Almanac Is Predicting
Much of the United States is expected to have a relatively mild winter
Above-normal snowfall is predicted in parts of the Northeast and Appalachians
The Pacific Northwest could see a wetter and snowier winter than usual
The Intermountain region is also expected to receive above-normal snowfall
Alaska is among the areas expected to experience a snowier winter
Parts of the Southwest could receive less snow than normal
A strong El Niño is expected to influence weather patterns during winter 2026-27
Northeast Could See Major Differences From North to South
The Old Farmer’s Almanac expects the Northeast to experience very different conditions depending on location.
Northern sections of the region are forecast to be milder, with below-normal snowfall.
Farther south, however, conditions could become noticeably colder and snowier.
The southern portion of the Northeast is expected to receive above-normal snowfall, with some of the most active periods forecast for mid- and late December, mid-January and parts of March.
That could create favorable conditions for snow lovers and some ski areas, particularly in southern sections of the region.
Appalachians Forecast to Be Cold and Snowy
The Appalachians stand out as one of the clearest cold-and-snow regions in the new forecast.
Temperatures are predicted to remain below normal through parts of the winter, while snowfall could exceed seasonal averages, particularly across northern portions of the region.
The snowiest periods are expected around mid-January and again during early and late February.
For mountain communities and ski resorts stretching through states including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina, the outlook could point toward a strong winter season if the forecast holds.
Pacific Northwest Could See More Snow Than Expected
One of the more interesting predictions involves the Pacific Northwest.
The region is expected to experience above-normal temperatures, but that does not necessarily mean less snow.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a wetter-than-normal winter along with above-normal snowfall.
The snowiest periods are expected around late December, mid-January and mid-February.
That outlook could be encouraging for ski areas in Washington and Oregon, where mountain snowfall plays an important role in both winter recreation and regional water supplies.
Intermountain West Expected to Have a Snowy Winter
The Intermountain region is another area forecast to receive above-normal snowfall.
Temperatures could remain warmer than normal overall, but increased precipitation may still produce significant mountain snow.
Late November, late December and early February are highlighted as particularly favorable periods for snowfall.
This could benefit ski destinations across portions of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and surrounding mountain areas.
Southwest Could See Less Snow
Conditions are expected to look different across the Desert Southwest.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a warmer and drier winter across much of the region.
Areas that normally receive snow could see below-normal totals.
The best opportunities for snowfall are expected around early January and late February.
For mountain areas in Arizona and New Mexico, that could mean a less consistent snow season than in parts of the Rockies or Pacific Northwest.
Upper Midwest Could Have Plenty of Snow Chances
The Upper Midwest is expected to begin winter on the milder side before colder conditions become more noticeable later in the season.
Overall snowfall is forecast to remain near or below normal.
However, that does not mean the region will avoid winter storms.
The Almanac identifies early January, late January, late February and early March as periods when snowfall could become more active.
Even in a somewhat milder winter, individual storms can still produce significant snow over relatively short periods.
Strong El Niño Could Shape Winter 2026-27
A major factor behind this winter’s weather pattern is the return of El Niño.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac expects a strong El Niño to continue through winter.
El Niño develops when unusually warm water forms across portions of the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Those warmer waters can influence atmospheric circulation and alter the position of the jet stream, affecting where storms, precipitation and colder air travel across North America.
Historically, strong El Niño winters often produce milder conditions across portions of the northern United States while increasing precipitation across parts of the West and South.
However, individual winters can vary considerably.
When Could the Snowiest Periods Arrive?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast, some of the most active snow periods are expected between December and February.
The Northeast could see important snowfall windows in December and January.
The Appalachians could become particularly snowy in January and February.
The Pacific Northwest is expected to have several major opportunities from late December through mid-February.
The Intermountain region could see notable snowfall beginning as early as November.
These are long-range predictions rather than individual storm forecasts, so exact timing and snowfall totals will become clearer as winter approaches.
How Accurate Are Old Farmer’s Almanac Snow Predictions?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has published long-range weather forecasts since the late 1700s.
Its forecasting method combines climatology, meteorology, historical weather patterns, solar activity and large-scale climate signals.
Long-range seasonal forecasting is fundamentally different from a short-term weather forecast.
Meteorologists can predict individual snowstorms far more accurately when they are only several days away.
A seasonal forecast instead attempts to identify broader patterns across several months.
That means the Almanac’s winter outlook is best viewed as a guide to where conditions may trend colder, warmer, wetter or snowier rather than a guarantee that a particular city will receive a specific amount of snow.
A Mild Winter Could Still Be a Snowy One
One of the most important parts of the Old Farmer’s Almanac winter 2026-27 forecast is that mild temperatures do not necessarily mean a snow-free winter.
Mountain regions can experience above-normal snowfall even when average temperatures are somewhat warmer.
That appears to be part of the expected pattern this year.
The Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, for example, are forecast to experience relatively mild temperatures while still receiving above-normal snowfall.
Meanwhile, parts of the Northeast and Appalachians could receive both colder temperatures and heavier snow.
For skiers, travelers and anyone already watching the winter outlook, the biggest snowfall opportunities currently appear concentrated in the Northeast, Appalachians, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West and Alaska.
