El Niño Winter Forecast 2026–27: Snow and Snow Days by City

A very strong El Niño is likely this winter, and NOAA’s outlook favors a warmer than average North and a wetter South (NOAA). In the three very strong El Niño winters since 1991, 178 of the 223 cities on our map we could compare got less snow than in their other winters, in our count of NOAA’s daily station records (ACIS).

The Northeast came up short almost everywhere, while Denver, Reno and Albuquerque got about 1.5 to 1.7 times their usual snow. Days with enough snow to close schools, by our rule of thumb, came half to nearly three-quarters as often as in a usual winter (ACIS).

Three winters are not a forecast. NOAA does not forecast seasonal snowfall, each of those winters had its own surprises, and this El Niño may end up stronger than all three. Find your city below, and use the calculator when a storm is actually on the way.

How strong is this El Niño?

Very strong, and possibly the strongest since 1950, as far back as NOAA’s records of it go. On October 8, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center kept its El Niño Advisory in force and said a strong to very strong El Niño was likely through January to March 2027, with a greater than 83% chance (CPC).

The usual measure, the Niño-3.4 index of sea temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific, had reached 2.1°C above normal over the past month by October 8 (CPC) and 2.4°C in the latest week by October 15 (CPC).

The Center’s strength odds use another measure, its Relative Oceanic Niño Index, which sets the same waters against the tropics as a whole (CPC’s El Niño table). On it, the Center gives an 81% chance of 2.0°C or more, the very strong range, for December to February (ENSO strength odds). It put the chance of 2.5°C or more, stronger than any El Niño since 1950, at 83% for October to December (CPC). Two forecast tools the Center uses put the peak in November to January, near 3.0°C and 3.5°C (CPC).

How strong: El Niño at its peak

NOAA’s Relative Oceanic Niño Index, °C

2.0°C2.5°C

1. 1982–83 Before the 30 winters our snow counts cover

   +2.40°C

2. 1991–92

   +2.12°C

3. 1997–98

   +2.28°C

4. 2015–16

   +2.25°C

5. Jul–Sep 2026 This El Niño, the latest value on November 1

   +1.69°C

6. 2026–27 peak Two forecast tools NOAA uses, November to January

   About +3.0 to +3.5°C

A stronger El Niño makes its usual effects more likely, not certain. The Center says an event this size raises the chances of impacts consistent with El Niño, though they are not guaranteed (CPC), and that strength “does not necessarily correspond with the strength of the influence” (ENSO strength odds).

NOAA’s index data shows four very strong El Niños since 1950, and 1965–66 and 1972–73 fell just short, at 1.99°C and 1.97°C (RONI data). The oldest of the four, 1982–83, came before the 30 winters of station records we use.

What does NOAA’s winter outlook say?

Warmer north, wetter south. NOAA’s outlook for December to February, issued October 15, expects a very strong El Niño to shift the jet stream south and east (NOAA). It favors warmer than average temperatures across the northern U.S., and wetter than average conditions across the southern U.S., from California to Florida, and along the Eastern Seaboard (NOAA).

For November to January, the Climate Prediction Center’s discussion puts the best odds of warmth from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Plains, the Great Lakes and the interior Northeast (CPC). It favors a drier than normal season in the northern Rockies and parts of the Great Lakes, and a wetter one from California and the Southwest across the central and southern Plains to the Southeast and up the Eastern Seaboard (CPC).

Where the storms go

• Storm track in a strong El Niño winter
• Storm track in a usual winter
• Warmer than average favored
• Wetter than average favored

What the outlook does not do is forecast snow. NOAA says it “does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations,” and that snow forecasts are generally not possible more than a week ahead (NOAA). By our reading, warmer odds lean against snow in the North, while a wetter South can mean snow where storms meet cold air. The past winters show both.

Did past El Niño winters bring less snow?

In most places, yes. We added up each winter’s snowfall in NOAA’s daily station records for the 296 cities on our map and set each city’s three very strong El Niño winters against its other winters from 1991–92 to 2020–21 (ACIS). We left out 46 cities where a usual winter brings under 2 inches, too little to compare, and 27 whose records are too incomplete. Some neighboring cities share a station’s record.

The map stands a column on each of the other 223, as tall as its El Niño snow as a share of a usual winter. The buttons under it switch between the three winters, which went quite differently.

Snow in the very strong El Niño winters: All three

Snow as a share of a usual winter:

• Under 70%
• 70 to 89%
• 90 to 110%
• 111 to 130%
• Over 130%
• Snow is rare
• Records too incomplete

All three1991–921997–982015–16

In the three winters together, 178 of the 223 cities we could compare had less snow than usual, 22 about the same and 23 more.

By our reading, the shortfall fits the warmer North that NOAA describes. In our count, the Northeast had less snow in 53 of its 54 cities, the Pacific Coast in all 6 we could compare and the Midwest in 38 of 48, with none there getting more (ACIS). The South had less in 42 of 52. The Mountain West split: 15 cities had less and 13 more, most of them along Colorado’s Front Range, around Reno and in New Mexico.

Could three ordinary winters do the same? We ran the same count for every other set of three winters from those 30 years, 2,925 sets in all. In the middle set, 37% of the cities had less snow than usual. Only 65 sets left as large a share short as the El Niño winters did, 178 of 223 (ACIS).

No two of the three winters were alike. In 1997–98, New York got 5.5 inches, 17% of its usual snow, and Washington, D.C., a tenth of an inch (ACIS). In 2015–16, New York’s Central Park record shows 27.3 inches on January 23 alone, and the city ended that winter at 103% of usual, Washington at 157% (ACIS). A strong El Niño tilts the odds, and one storm can still make a winter.

How much snow did your city get in El Niño winters?

Pick a state and a city. The card sets its usual winter, the average of its other winters with a full record, beside each of the three El Niño winters, and counts the days with enough snow to close schools there about half the time, by our rule of thumb.

Beyond the cities in the picture at the top, Chicago averaged 73% of a usual winter’s snow in its 2 El Niño winters with a full record, Pittsburgh 62%, Kansas City 66%, Milwaukee 79% and Indianapolis 47% (ACIS).

Snow comes early or late in an El Niño winter too. For when the first measurable snow usually falls in your city, see our first snow dates for 296 cities.

Will there be fewer snow days this winter?

Past El Niño winters suggest fewer chances, not none. By our rule of thumb, schools close about half the time when a day’s snowfall reaches a point set by how much snow a place usually gets: half an inch where snow is rare, up to 15 inches where it is deep (how much snow closes school). We counted the days that reached it at each city’s station (ACIS).

Days with snow enough to close schools

• In that winter
• Short of a usual winter

1. 1991–92 115 days across 213 cities, 50% of a usual winter’s 229

2. 1997–98 146 days across 207 cities, 64% of a usual winter’s 228

3. 2015–16 174 days across 222 cities, 72% of a usual winter’s 241

Not everywhere: in 54 of the 223 cities, the El Niño winters averaged more such days than a usual winter.

Denver is one of the exceptions: its El Niño winters had 1, 3 and 1 such days, against about 0.4 in a usual winter. Colorado Springs and Reno also had more in every El Niño winter with a full record (ACIS).

A day’s snowfall is not a school’s decision. Timing, ice and cold count too, and only your district decides, so check its website, app or local TV and radio. When a storm is in the forecast, the calculator gives the chance of a snow day at your ZIP code from the National Weather Service forecast.

Where did El Niño winters bring more snow?

Along the Rockies’ eastern edge, around Reno and in parts of the South. Colorado Springs averaged 159% of its usual snow and Albuquerque 147%, and Reno 166% in its 2 El Niño winters with a full record (ACIS). Our count shows where it happened, not why.

Where snow is rare, one storm stands out. Atlanta, whose usual winter brings 1.8 inches, got 5 inches on January 18, 1992, and Jackson, Mississippi, got 4.8 inches on December 14, 1997 (ACIS). Nashville averaged 119% of its usual 4.5 inches, mostly from 11.3 inches in 2015–16 (ACIS).

Will the polar vortex bring cold this winter?

For the season as a whole, NOAA’s forecasters see the odds tilted slightly against it, but a disruption may be coming in early November. The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air around the pole, and when it expands in winter it can send cold air south with the jet stream (NWS).

The forecasters write that the vortex is typically stronger and more stable during El Niño and the westerly phase of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, and both are in place this winter (CPC). A steadier vortex, they write, slightly lowers the odds of sudden stratospheric warmings and the negative Arctic Oscillation spells that may follow. They call that supportive of warmer than normal temperatures in the mid-latitudes in general, and in line with their forecast for the northern and eastern U.S. (CPC).

Slightly lower odds are not none. On October 31, the forecasters wrote that computer models show a possible disruption of the polar vortex in the first week of November, perhaps turning into a sudden stratospheric warming, which they call very rare in November (CPC). If it happens, they write, its effects can last up to 2 months, usually as a negative Arctic Oscillation, which could mean cooler periods and adds uncertainty most of all in the eastern U.S. (CPC).

The forecasters also note one difference from the past: the Pacific Decadal Oscillation is in its negative phase, while 1997–98 and 2015–16 both came in its positive phase, though they judge its influence this winter may be minimal (CPC).

El Niño and your snow

• This El Niño
  • very strong likely
  • may top any since 1950
  • peak Nov to Jan
• NOAA outlook
  • warmer North
  • wetter South and East Coast
  • no snowfall forecast
• Past very strong El Niños
  • less snow in most cities
  • Northeast nearly all
  • each winter different
• More snow
  • Denver
  • Reno
  • Albuquerque
• Snow days
  • fewer in most cities
  • one storm can change it
• Polar vortex
  • steadier in El Niño
  • a November disruption possible

Questions people ask

Does El Niño mean less snow?

In most U.S. cities it has. In the three very strong El Niño winters from 1991–92 to 2020–21, 178 of the 223 cities we could compare averaged less snow than in their other winters (ACIS). Denver, Reno and Albuquerque averaged more, and one storm can still bring a big snow, as New York’s 27.3 inches in a day in January 2016 showed.

Will winter 2026–27 be snowy?

Nobody can say yet. NOAA does not forecast seasonal snowfall; its outlook favors a warmer than average northern U.S. and a wetter South (NOAA). By our reading of the past very strong El Niño winters, that leans toward less snow in the North and Northeast and more along Colorado’s Front Range, but each of them went its own way.

Is this the strongest El Niño ever?

It may be the strongest since 1950, as far back as NOAA’s index goes. On October 8 the Climate Prediction Center put the chance of 2.5°C or more on its index, stronger than any El Niño since 1950, at 83% for October to December (CPC). The strongest in NOAA’s index data so far reached 2.40°C, in December 1982 to February 1983 (RONI data).

Does El Niño mean a mild winter in the Northeast?

The odds lean that way. NOAA’s forecasters favor warmer than normal temperatures in the interior Northeast for November to January (CPC), and in the past three very strong El Niño winters, 53 of the 54 Northeast cities we compared had less snow than usual (ACIS). Odds are not a promise, and cold snaps still happen in warm winters.

When does NOAA update its winter outlook?

The Climate Prediction Center issues its next seasonal outlooks on November 19, 2026 (CPC) and its next El Niño discussion on November 12 (CPC). Forecasts of actual snow come only days ahead, from your local National Weather Service office.

Every city’s El Niño snow

All 296 cities: the usual winter, each very strong El Niño winter and the three together as a share of usual, with the station record each comes from.

Snow in the very strong El Niño winters, 296 cities, from NOAA daily station records

Show all 296 cities

City	Usual winter	1991–92	1997–98	2015–16	The three, share of usual	Record, distance
Alabama
Huntsville	2.1 in.	0.2 in.	2 in.	0.4 in.	41%	Huntsville Area, 10.8 mi
Mobile	0.2 in.	0 in.	0.1 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Mobile Area, 6.7 mi
Birmingham	1.4 in.	4.4 in.	1.7 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Birmingham Area, 4.1 mi
Montgomery	0.5 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Montgomery Area, 10.4 mi
Tuscaloosa	Records too incomplete to compare					Bessemer 3 Wsw, 33.3 mi
Hoover	1.4 in.	4.4 in.	1.7 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Birmingham Airport, 12.7 mi
Alaska
Anchorage	79.2 in.	99.7 in.	56.5 in.	38.3 in.	82%	Anchorage Area, 8.2 mi
Fairbanks	63.3 in.	98.7 in.	45.1 in.	60 in.	107%	Fairbanks Area, 5 mi
Juneau	90.4 in.	93.2 in.	35.6 in.	34.9 in.	60%	Juneau Area, 1.2 mi
Wasilla	Records too incomplete to compare					Eagle River 5 Se, 20.6 mi
Sitka	Records too incomplete to compare					Hidden Falls Hatchery, 20.3 mi
Ketchikan	38.5 in.	11.9 in.	15.2 in.	5 in.	28%	Annette Airport, 23.5 mi
Arizona
Phoenix	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Phoenix Area, 8.7 mi
Tucson	0.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tucson Area, 6.2 mi
Mesa	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tempe Asu, 10 mi
Gilbert	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tempe Asu, 12.7 mi
Chandler	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tempe Asu, 10.5 mi
Glendale	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Phoenix Airport, 15.1 mi
Arkansas
Little Rock	4.5 in.	0 in.	0 in.	5.7 in.	42%	Little Rock Area, 7.4 mi
Fayetteville	7.2 in.	4.3 in.	2.5 in.	0 in.	31%	Fayetteville Drake Field, 5 mi
Fort Smith	4.1 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0%	Fort Smith Area, 2.3 mi
Springdale	7.2 in.	4.3 in.	2.5 in.	0 in.	31%	Fayetteville Drake Field, 12 mi
Jonesboro	4.5 in.	1 in.	0 in.	0.3 in.	10%	Jonesboro 3 Sse, 2.1 mi
Rogers	7.2 in.	4.3 in.	2.5 in.	0 in.	31%	Fayetteville Drake Field, 20.7 mi
California
Los Angeles	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	U C L A, 4.4 mi
San Diego	0 in.	0 in.	—	0 in.	Snow is rare	San Diego Area, 5.6 mi
San Jose	Records too incomplete to compare					San Jose Area, 4.4 mi
San Francisco	Records too incomplete to compare					San Francisco Airport Area, 10.5 mi
Fresno	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Fresno Area, 3.7 mi
Sacramento	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Lake Solano, 29.4 mi
Colorado
Denver	46.8 in.	79 in.	72.1 in.	73.1 in.	160%	Denver-Central Park, 5.2 mi
Colorado Springs	31.5 in.	42.7 in.	56.8 in.	50.7 in.	159%	Colorado Springs Area, 6.3 mi
Aurora	56.2 in.	56.5 in.	88.8 in.	93.2 in.	141%	Lakewood, 17.5 mi
Fort Collins	51.1 in.	50.3 in.	55.3 in.	72.8 in.	116%	Fort Collins, 2.6 mi
Lakewood	56.2 in.	56.5 in.	88.8 in.	93.2 in.	141%	Lakewood, 3.3 mi
Thornton	44.9 in.	41.5 in.	—	79.5 in.	135%	Northglenn, 2.9 mi
Connecticut
Bridgeport	38.2 in.	16.5 in.	8.9 in.	27.3 in.	46%	Bridgeport Area, 4.1 mi
Stamford	38.2 in.	16.5 in.	8.9 in.	27.3 in.	46%	Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport, 22.5 mi
New Haven	38.2 in.	16.5 in.	8.9 in.	27.3 in.	46%	Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport, 14.7 mi
Hartford	53.4 in.	23.6 in.	—	26.9 in.	47%	Hartford Area, 12.1 mi
Waterbury	53.4 in.	23.6 in.	—	26.9 in.	47%	Hartford-Bradley International Airport, 31.9 mi
Norwalk	38.2 in.	16.5 in.	8.9 in.	27.3 in.	46%	Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport, 15.7 mi
Delaware
Wilmington	21.5 in.	3.5 in.	0 in.	25.4 in.	45%	Wilmington Area, 6.1 mi
Dover	13.7 in.	2.8 in.	1 in.	19.3 in.	56%	Seabrook Farms, 28.5 mi
Newark	21.5 in.	3.5 in.	0 in.	25.4 in.	45%	Wilmington Airport, 6.9 mi
Middletown	21.5 in.	3.5 in.	0 in.	25.4 in.	45%	Wilmington Airport, 14.4 mi
Milford	15.5 in.	1.6 in.	2.5 in.	22.8 in.	58%	Cape May 2 Nw, 26.3 mi
Smyrna	13.7 in.	2.8 in.	1 in.	19.3 in.	56%	Seabrook Farms, 25.3 mi
Washington, D.C.
Washington	14.1 in.	6.6 in.	0.1 in.	22.2 in.	68%	Washington Area, 4.5 mi
Florida
Jacksonville	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Jacksonville Area, 14.1 mi
Miami	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Miami Area, 6 mi
Tampa	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tampa Area, 5.7 mi
Orlando	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Orlando Area, 7 mi
St. Petersburg	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Tampa International Airport, 14.4 mi
Port St. Lucie	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Vero Beach International Airport, 25.9 mi
Georgia
Atlanta	1.8 in.	5 in.	0.6 in.	0.3 in.	Snow is rare	Atlanta Area, 10 mi
Columbus	Records too incomplete to compare					Columbus Area, 1.5 mi
Augusta	0.8 in.	2.6 in.	0 in.	0.5 in.	Snow is rare	Augusta Area, 6.9 mi
Macon	Records too incomplete to compare					Macon Area, 10 mi
Savannah	0.1 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Savannah Area, 7.1 mi
Athens	Records too incomplete to compare					Athens Area, 3.1 mi
Hawaii
Honolulu	0 in.	0 in.	—	0 in.	Snow is rare	Honolulu Area, 6.2 mi
Idaho
Boise	19.2 in.	4.2 in.	7.3 in.	10.9 in.	39%	Boise Area, 3.3 mi
Meridian	19.2 in.	4.2 in.	7.3 in.	10.9 in.	39%	Boise Air Terminal, 8.6 mi
Nampa	Records too incomplete to compare					Parma Experiment Station, 23.8 mi
Caldwell	7.4 in.	0 in.	0 in.	9.9 in.	45%	Emmett 2 E, 17.2 mi
Idaho Falls	Records too incomplete to compare					Idaho Falls - Kifi, 2.2 mi
Pocatello	38.6 in.	18.5 in.	37.6 in.	33.5 in.	77%	Pocatello Area, 7.3 mi
Illinois
Chicago	40.8 in.	28.4 in.	—	31.2 in.	73%	Chicago Area, 14.2 mi
Aurora	32.5 in.	11.8 in.	26.8 in.	21.8 in.	62%	Lisle - Morton Arboretum, 11.7 mi
Naperville	32.5 in.	11.8 in.	26.8 in.	21.8 in.	62%	Lisle - Morton Arboretum, 6.3 mi
Joliet	20 in.	0 in.	3.5 in.	12.9 in.	27%	Joliet Brandon Road Lock/Dam, 3 mi
Rockford	37.8 in.	30.6 in.	—	24 in.	72%	Rockford Area, 5.7 mi
Elgin	32.7 in.	29.4 in.	25.6 in.	23 in.	80%	Elgin Water, 2 mi
Indiana
Indianapolis	27.2 in.	14.7 in.	10.4 in.	13.3 in.	47%	Indianapolis Area, 8.5 mi
Fort Wayne	35 in.	27.8 in.	13.9 in.	20.1 in.	59%	Fort Wayne Area, 9.1 mi
Evansville	10.7 in.	3.3 in.	—	14.2 in.	82%	Evansville Area, 4.7 mi
Fishers	21 in.	11 in.	10 in.	8.3 in.	47%	Greenfield, 16.8 mi
South Bend	64.4 in.	67.7 in.	52.5 in.	70.2 in.	99%	South Bend Area, 4 mi
Carmel	24.7 in.	15.7 in.	9.9 in.	10.5 in.	49%	Whitestown, 11.6 mi
Iowa
Des Moines	37.9 in.	22.6 in.	47.5 in.	30.3 in.	88%	Des Moines Area, 4 mi
Cedar Rapids	33.8 in.	29.9 in.	37.8 in.	15.1 in.	82%	Cedar Rapids No. 1, 5.9 mi
Davenport	37.8 in.	17.9 in.	34.9 in.	24.1 in.	68%	Moline Quad City International Airport, 7.9 mi
Sioux City	35.9 in.	30 in.	23.1 in.	57.6 in.	103%	Sioux City Area, 7.9 mi
Ankeny	24.6 in.	6.9 in.	25.8 in.	19.9 in.	71%	Ankeny, 2.2 mi
Iowa City	28.2 in.	15.7 in.	23 in.	12.2 in.	60%	Iowa City, 3.7 mi
Kansas
Wichita	13.5 in.	1.8 in.	20.5 in.	4.3 in.	66%	Wichita Area, 5.7 mi
Overland Park	18.1 in.	7.7 in.	14.3 in.	5.4 in.	50%	Bonner Springs, 15.1 mi
Kansas City	18.1 in.	10.1 in.	19.6 in.	5.9 in.	66%	Kansas City Area, 13.1 mi
Olathe	18.1 in.	7.7 in.	14.3 in.	5.4 in.	50%	Bonner Springs, 13.7 mi
Topeka	17.6 in.	7.2 in.	14.6 in.	4.9 in.	51%	Topeka Area, 4.6 mi
Lawrence	17.6 in.	7.2 in.	14.6 in.	4.9 in.	51%	Topeka Asos, 20.9 mi
Kentucky
Louisville	14.9 in.	3.2 in.	29 in.	14.9 in.	105%	Louisville Area, 2.9 mi
Lexington	15 in.	3.2 in.	19.6 in.	15.3 in.	85%	Lexington Area, 6.4 mi
Bowling Green	8.1 in.	0.8 in.	8.8 in.	24 in.	138%	Bowling Green Warren County Airport, 0.8 mi
Owensboro	12 in.	3.2 in.	19.3 in.	12.3 in.	97%	Boonville 1S, 21.3 mi
Covington	24.3 in.	13.8 in.	31.4 in.	19.2 in.	88%	Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 7.8 mi
Georgetown	15 in.	3.2 in.	19.6 in.	15.3 in.	85%	Lexington Bluegrass Airport, 13 mi
Louisiana
New Orleans	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	New Orleans Area, 13.5 mi
Baton Rouge	0.3 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Baton Rouge Area, 6.9 mi
Shreveport	1.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Shreveport Area, 3.2 mi
Lafayette	Records too incomplete to compare					Grand Coteau, 15.3 mi
Lake Charles	Records too incomplete to compare					Lake Charles Area, 5.6 mi
Kenner	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	New Orleans Airport, 2.1 mi
Maine
Portland	70.8 in.	58.6 in.	54.5 in.	51.8 in.	78%	Portland Area, 2.5 mi
Lewiston	77.5 in.	—	62.2 in.	51.2 in.	73%	Durham, 8.3 mi
Bangor	75.8 in.	54.7 in.	89.1 in.	44.6 in.	83%	Bangor Area, 2 mi
South Portland	70.8 in.	58.6 in.	54.5 in.	51.8 in.	78%	Portland Jetport, 1.8 mi
Auburn	77.5 in.	—	62.2 in.	51.2 in.	73%	Durham, 9.6 mi
Sanford	48.7 in.	18.9 in.	29.3 in.	35.5 in.	57%	Sanford 2 Nnw, 1.7 mi
Maryland
Baltimore	20 in.	4.1 in.	3.2 in.	35.1 in.	71%	Baltimore Area, 10.4 mi
Frederick	34.2 in.	13 in.	12 in.	5 in.	29%	Emmitsburg 2 Se, 18.3 mi
Gaithersburg	31.2 in.	—	13 in.	42.3 in.	89%	Damascus 3 Ssw, 9.1 mi
Rockville	16.1 in.	6 in.	1.1 in.	25 in.	66%	Beltsville, 12.2 mi
Bowie	16.1 in.	6 in.	1.1 in.	25 in.	66%	Beltsville, 10.9 mi
Hagerstown	28.5 in.	13.5 in.	13.3 in.	31 in.	68%	Hagerstown 1E, 1.5 mi
Massachusetts
Boston	51.7 in.	22 in.	25.6 in.	36.1 in.	54%	Boston Area, 4.8 mi
Worcester	77.3 in.	45.9 in.	54.7 in.	47.2 in.	64%	Worcester Area, 3.5 mi
Springfield	53.4 in.	23.6 in.	—	26.9 in.	47%	Hartford-Bradley International Airport, 13.8 mi
Cambridge	51.7 in.	22 in.	25.6 in.	36.1 in.	54%	Boston Logan International Airport, 5.3 mi
Lowell	45.2 in.	18.7 in.	5.2 in.	29.3 in.	39%	Lawrence, 8.8 mi
Brockton	52.7 in.	21.5 in.	16.5 in.	36.7 in.	47%	Norton West, 9.7 mi
Michigan
Detroit	46.2 in.	43.5 in.	23.4 in.	35.3 in.	74%	Detroit Area, 15.5 mi
Grand Rapids	77.5 in.	87.8 in.	59.8 in.	61.1 in.	90%	Grand Rapids Area, 8.5 mi
Warren	46.2 in.	43.5 in.	23.4 in.	35.3 in.	74%	Detroit Metro Airport, 23.9 mi
Sterling Heights	46.2 in.	43.5 in.	23.4 in.	35.3 in.	74%	Detroit Metro Airport, 28.5 mi
Ann Arbor	62.6 in.	55.4 in.	46 in.	54.3 in.	83%	Ann Arbor U Of Mich, 4.1 mi
Lansing	49.3 in.	58.3 in.	—	50 in.	110%	Lansing Area, 5 mi
Minnesota
Minneapolis	51.9 in.	84.1 in.	45 in.	36.7 in.	106%	Minneapolis-St Paul Area, 5.6 mi
St. Paul	51.9 in.	84.1 in.	45 in.	36.7 in.	106%	Minneapolis-St Paul Area, 7.7 mi
Rochester	53.1 in.	62.6 in.	42.4 in.	47.9 in.	96%	Rochester Area, 9.2 mi
Bloomington	51.9 in.	84.1 in.	45 in.	36.7 in.	106%	Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, 5.5 mi
Duluth	88.3 in.	100 in.	80.1 in.	81.4 in.	99%	Duluth Area, 5.3 mi
Brooklyn Park	53.2 in.	77.8 in.	50.4 in.	34 in.	102%	New Hope, 6.6 mi
Mississippi
Jackson	0.9 in.	0.2 in.	4.8 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Jackson Area, 7.1 mi
Gulfport	Records too incomplete to compare					Gulfport Area, 0.1 mi
Southaven	3.2 in.	0.6 in.	3 in.	0.3 in.	41%	Memphis International Airport, 7 mi
Hattiesburg	1 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Hattiesburg 5SW, 4.1 mi
Biloxi	Records too incomplete to compare					Wiggins, 31.9 mi
Olive Branch	3.2 in.	0.6 in.	3 in.	0.3 in.	41%	Memphis International Airport, 11.3 mi
Missouri
Kansas City	18.1 in.	10.1 in.	19.6 in.	5.9 in.	66%	Kansas City Area, 17.1 mi
St. Louis	17 in.	13.5 in.	19 in.	10.9 in.	85%	St Louis Area, 11.1 mi
Springfield	14.7 in.	4.7 in.	15.2 in.	3 in.	52%	Springfield Area, 6.9 mi
Columbia	16.8 in.	13.6 in.	9.7 in.	9 in.	64%	Columbia Area, 10.7 mi
Independence	17.1 in.	—	20.2 in.	4 in.	71%	Pleasant Hill Weather Office, 19.4 mi
Lee's Summit	17.1 in.	—	20.2 in.	4 in.	71%	Pleasant Hill Weather Office, 9.4 mi
Montana
Billings	58.4 in.	35.2 in.	53.4 in.	28.1 in.	67%	Billings Area, 1.9 mi
Missoula	44.2 in.	26.2 in.	34.2 in.	30.2 in.	68%	Missoula Area, 5.7 mi
Great Falls	67.5 in.	37.1 in.	38 in.	46.9 in.	60%	Great Falls Area, 5.4 mi
Bozeman	95.5 in.	51.4 in.	90.8 in.	75.7 in.	76%	Bozeman Montana State University, 2.1 mi
Butte	Records too incomplete to compare					Anaconda, 23.2 mi
Helena	Records too incomplete to compare					Helena Area, 2.1 mi
Nebraska
Omaha	28.5 in.	24.3 in.	—	27.4 in.	91%	Omaha Area, 8.6 mi
Lincoln	26.5 in.	23.8 in.	44.6 in.	20.5 in.	112%	Lincoln Area, 5.7 mi
Bellevue	28.3 in.	23.1 in.	—	27.4 in.	89%	Omaha Eppley Airfield, 11.2 mi
Grand Island	27.1 in.	31.4 in.	28.2 in.	33.8 in.	115%	Grand Island Area, 3.6 mi
Kearney	24.3 in.	24 in.	16.9 in.	24.2 in.	89%	Kearney 4 Ne, 4.1 mi
Fremont	30.1 in.	26.5 in.	32.4 in.	33 in.	102%	Fremont, 1.7 mi
Nevada
Las Vegas	0.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Las Vegas Area, 9.6 mi
Henderson	0.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Harry Reid International Airport, 7.3 mi
North Las Vegas	0.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Harry Reid International Airport, 11.9 mi
Reno	28.5 in.	—	48.8 in.	45.9 in.	166%	Reno Weather Office, 3.3 mi
Sparks	28.5 in.	—	48.8 in.	45.9 in.	166%	Reno Weather Office, 3 mi
Carson City	28.5 in.	—	48.8 in.	45.9 in.	166%	Reno Weather Office, 28 mi
New Hampshire
Manchester	60.3 in.	19.8 in.	44.6 in.	28 in.	51%	Nashua 2 Nnw, 13.7 mi
Nashua	60.3 in.	19.8 in.	44.6 in.	28 in.	51%	Nashua 2 Nnw, 3 mi
Concord	70.5 in.	35.2 in.	59.1 in.	29.7 in.	59%	Concord Area, 2.4 mi
Dover	42.1 in.	25 in.	35.8 in.	25.6 in.	68%	Durham, 4.9 mi
Rochester	42.1 in.	25 in.	35.8 in.	25.6 in.	68%	Durham, 11.1 mi
Keene	62.7 in.	26.5 in.	37.6 in.	24.4 in.	47%	Keene, 1.8 mi
New Jersey
Newark	34 in.	13.9 in.	6.9 in.	32.8 in.	53%	Newark Area, 4 mi
Jersey City	34 in.	13.9 in.	6.9 in.	32.8 in.	53%	Newark Liberty International Airport, 6.2 mi
Paterson	31.7 in.	12.6 in.	5.5 in.	32.8 in.	54%	Ny City Central Park, 13.9 mi
Elizabeth	34 in.	13.9 in.	6.9 in.	32.8 in.	53%	Newark Liberty International Airport, 2.6 mi
Trenton	28.8 in.	9.8 in.	5.5 in.	26 in.	48%	Trenton Area, 4.8 mi
Clifton	31.7 in.	12.6 in.	5.5 in.	32.8 in.	54%	Ny City Central Park, 11.4 mi
New Mexico
Albuquerque	7.9 in.	12.7 in.	12.4 in.	9.8 in.	147%	Albuquerque Area, 5.5 mi
Las Cruces	0.7 in.	6 in.	—	5.3 in.	Snow is rare	State University, 2 mi
Rio Rancho	7.9 in.	12.7 in.	12.4 in.	9.8 in.	147%	Albuquerque International Airport, 15.6 mi
Santa Fe	17.8 in.	5 in.	20.4 in.	—	71%	Santa Fe 2, 2.6 mi
Roswell	7.4 in.	8.5 in.	—	17.8 in.	178%	Roswell Area, 5.2 mi
Farmington	8.9 in.	14.8 in.	8.5 in.	4.3 in.	103%	Farmington Ag Science Cnt, 9 mi
New York
New York	31.7 in.	12.6 in.	5.5 in.	32.8 in.	54%	New York-Central Park Area, 4.5 mi
Buffalo	98 in.	92.8 in.	75.6 in.	55.1 in.	76%	Buffalo Area, 5.9 mi
Yonkers	31.5 in.	14.3 in.	7.1 in.	36.2 in.	61%	Laguardia Airport, 10.9 mi
Rochester	103.1 in.	110.6 in.	99.7 in.	62.6 in.	88%	Rochester Area, 4.5 mi
Syracuse	126.7 in.	166.9 in.	134.7 in.	80.3 in.	100%	Syracuse Area, 5.2 mi
Albany	62.4 in.	30.7 in.	52.1 in.	16.9 in.	53%	Albany Area, 5.9 mi
North Carolina
Charlotte	3.5 in.	0 in.	4.9 in.	3.3 in.	78%	Charlotte Area, 7.8 mi
Raleigh	5.6 in.	0 in.	2.4 in.	1.4 in.	23%	Raleigh Area, 8.9 mi
Greensboro	7.6 in.	0 in.	5.5 in.	4.5 in.	44%	Greensboro Area, 6.6 mi
Durham	5.6 in.	0 in.	2.4 in.	1.4 in.	23%	Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 9 mi
Winston-Salem	7.3 in.	0 in.	22 in.	10 in.	146%	Yadkinville 6 E, 15.4 mi
Fayetteville	Records too incomplete to compare					Fayetteville Area, 6.4 mi
North Dakota
Fargo	52.4 in.	27.5 in.	41.1 in.	27.4 in.	61%	Fargo Area, 4.8 mi
Bismarck	51.1 in.	57.5 in.	26.6 in.	24.1 in.	71%	Bismarck Area, 2.3 mi
Grand Forks	48.9 in.	46.6 in.	—	28.4 in.	77%	Grand Forks Area, 6 mi
Minot	Records too incomplete to compare					Minot Experiment Station, 3.9 mi
West Fargo	52.4 in.	27.5 in.	41.1 in.	27.4 in.	61%	Fargo Hector International Airport, 6.7 mi
Williston	Records too incomplete to compare					Williston Area, 0.2 mi
Ohio
Columbus	29.7 in.	18.9 in.	10 in.	17.1 in.	52%	Columbus Area, 5.9 mi
Cleveland	65.9 in.	65.7 in.	34 in.	32.8 in.	67%	Cleveland Area, 10.3 mi
Cincinnati	24.3 in.	13.8 in.	31.4 in.	19.2 in.	88%	Cincinnati Area, 11.1 mi
Toledo	38 in.	30.3 in.	16 in.	26.4 in.	64%	Toledo Area, 12.5 mi
Akron	48.5 in.	48.2 in.	22.2 in.	30.2 in.	69%	Akron Area, 11.6 mi
Dayton	27.6 in.	17 in.	11.3 in.	12.7 in.	50%	Dayton Area, 9.5 mi
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City	7.8 in.	8.1 in.	2.1 in.	1.2 in.	49%	Oklahoma City Area, 6.8 mi
Tulsa	9.7 in.	1.1 in.	4.6 in.	3 in.	30%	Tulsa Area, 6.5 mi
Norman	7.8 in.	8.1 in.	2.1 in.	1.2 in.	49%	Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport, 15.1 mi
Broken Arrow	9.7 in.	1.1 in.	4.6 in.	3 in.	30%	Tulsa International Airport, 11.9 mi
Edmond	7.8 in.	8.1 in.	2.1 in.	1.2 in.	49%	Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport, 20.1 mi
Lawton	5.6 in.	6 in.	3.5 in.	6 in.	92%	Marlow 1 Wsw, 26.4 mi
Oregon
Portland	4.7 in.	0 in.	8.5 in.	1.4 in.	70%	Portland Area, 5.3 mi
Salem	Records too incomplete to compare					Salem Area, 2 mi
Eugene	2.9 in.	0 in.	—	0.2 in.	3%	Cottage Grove 2E, 19.3 mi
Gresham	2.8 in.	0 in.	4.5 in.	1.5 in.	71%	Forest Grove, 31.6 mi
Hillsboro	2.8 in.	0 in.	4.5 in.	1.5 in.	71%	Forest Grove, 8.9 mi
Bend	Records too incomplete to compare					Bend, 1.3 mi
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia	24.9 in.	4.7 in.	0.8 in.	27.5 in.	44%	Philadelphia Area, 10.1 mi
Pittsburgh	46.8 in.	33.9 in.	24.2 in.	29.6 in.	62%	Pittsburgh Area, 13.2 mi
Allentown	36.3 in.	15.6 in.	7.7 in.	36.2 in.	55%	Allentown Area, 3.7 mi
Reading	30.9 in.	11.4 in.	5.9 in.	35.2 in.	57%	Reading Area, 2.8 mi
Erie	106.3 in.	104.8 in.	—	71.2 in.	83%	Erie Area, 6 mi
Bethlehem	36.3 in.	15.6 in.	7.7 in.	36.2 in.	55%	Allentown Lehigh Valley International Airport, 3.7 mi
Rhode Island
Providence	40.7 in.	22.3 in.	4.7 in.	28.7 in.	46%	Providence Area, 6.9 mi
Cranston	40.7 in.	22.3 in.	4.7 in.	28.7 in.	46%	Rhode Island T.f. Green International Airport, 3.9 mi
Warwick	40.7 in.	22.3 in.	4.7 in.	28.7 in.	46%	Rhode Island T.f. Green International Airport, 0.7 mi
Pawtucket	40.7 in.	22.3 in.	4.7 in.	28.7 in.	46%	Rhode Island T.f. Green International Airport, 11 mi
East Providence	40.7 in.	22.3 in.	4.7 in.	28.7 in.	46%	Rhode Island T.f. Green International Airport, 6.8 mi
Woonsocket	40.3 in.	16.4 in.	14.5 in.	35 in.	55%	Woonsocket, 0.8 mi
South Carolina
Charleston	0.4 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Charleston Area, 7.9 mi
Columbia	1.4 in.	0.8 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Columbia Area, 8.2 mi
North Charleston	0.4 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Charleston Intl. Airport, 2.2 mi
Mount Pleasant	0.4 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Charleston Intl. Airport, 12.7 mi
Rock Hill	2.8 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0.5 in.	6%	Winthrop University, 0.7 mi
Greenville	4 in.	0 in.	3.2 in.	2.6 in.	48%	Greenville-Spartanburg Area, 9.8 mi
South Dakota
Sioux Falls	44.3 in.	47.9 in.	49 in.	68.5 in.	124%	Sioux Falls Area, 3.7 mi
Rapid City	54.5 in.	—	39.1 in.	41.6 in.	74%	Rapid City Weather Office, 0.6 mi
Aberdeen	43.7 in.	16.9 in.	33.7 in.	26.5 in.	59%	Aberdeen Area, 3.4 mi
Brookings	38.1 in.	24.8 in.	32.8 in.	34.2 in.	80%	Brookings 2 Ne, 1.9 mi
Watertown	58.5 in.	29 in.	69.7 in.	37.1 in.	77%	Summit 1 W, 27.5 mi
Yankton	38.1 in.	41.5 in.	34 in.	70.5 in.	128%	Yankton 2 E, 2.1 mi
Tennessee
Nashville	4.5 in.	1 in.	3.8 in.	11.3 in.	119%	Nashville Area, 3.6 mi
Memphis	3.2 in.	0.6 in.	3 in.	0.3 in.	41%	Memphis Area, 5.1 mi
Knoxville	5.2 in.	1 in.	8.3 in.	4.3 in.	87%	Oak Ridge Atdd, 14.3 mi
Chattanooga	0.9 in.	0 in.	2 in.	1.3 in.	Snow is rare	Cleveland Filter Plant, 27.2 mi
Clarksville	1.5 in.	0 in.	0 in.	—	Snow is rare	Cheatham Lock & Dam, 19.5 mi
Murfreesboro	4.5 in.	1 in.	3.8 in.	11.3 in.	119%	Nashville International Airport, 23.4 mi
Texas
Houston	0.2 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Houston Area, 16 mi
San Antonio	0.4 in.	0 in.	—	0 in.	Snow is rare	San Antonio Area, 5 mi
Dallas	1.9 in.	0 in.	0.5 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Dallas-Fort Worth Area, 14.9 mi
Fort Worth	1.9 in.	0 in.	0.5 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Dallas-Fort Worth Area, 19.8 mi
Austin	0.5 in.	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	Austin Area, 1.1 mi
El Paso	2 in.	7.4 in.	1 in.	8.1 in.	275%	El Paso Area, 2.3 mi
Utah
Salt Lake City	51.7 in.	38.5 in.	65.2 in.	34.3 in.	89%	Salt Lake City Area, 3.8 mi
West Valley City	51.7 in.	38.5 in.	65.2 in.	34.3 in.	89%	Salt Lake City International Airport, 6.3 mi
West Jordan	43.7 in.	43 in.	43.5 in.	27.1 in.	87%	Provo Byu, 30.7 mi
Provo	43.7 in.	43 in.	43.5 in.	27.1 in.	87%	Provo Byu, 0.8 mi
St. George	1.1 in.	—	0.5 in.	0 in.	Snow is rare	St. George, 3.4 mi
Orem	43.7 in.	43 in.	43.5 in.	27.1 in.	87%	Provo Byu, 4.6 mi
Vermont
Burlington	88.5 in.	79.2 in.	93.9 in.	34.3 in.	78%	Burlington Area, 3.5 mi
South Burlington	88.5 in.	79.2 in.	93.9 in.	34.3 in.	78%	Burlington International Airport, 2 mi
Rutland	79.4 in.	53 in.	69.2 in.	22.7 in.	61%	Rutland, 1.1 mi
Essex Junction	88.5 in.	79.2 in.	93.9 in.	34.3 in.	78%	Burlington International Airport, 3.7 mi
Winooski	88.5 in.	79.2 in.	93.9 in.	34.3 in.	78%	Burlington International Airport, 2.6 mi
Barre	89.6 in.	91.2 in.	87.2 in.	33.7 in.	79%	Saint Johnsbury, 28.3 mi
Virginia
Virginia Beach	5.9 in.	0 in.	0 in.	5 in.	28%	Norfolk International Airport, 7.6 mi
Chesapeake	5.9 in.	0 in.	0 in.	5 in.	28%	Norfolk International Airport, 11.4 mi
Richmond	9.5 in.	0.9 in.	1.2 in.	15.1 in.	60%	Richmond Area, 8.3 mi
Norfolk	5.9 in.	0 in.	0 in.	5 in.	28%	Norfolk Area, 3.8 mi
Newport News	5.9 in.	0 in.	0 in.	5 in.	28%	Norfolk International Airport, 21.1 mi
Alexandria	14.1 in.	6.6 in.	0.1 in.	22.2 in.	68%	Washington Reagan National Airport, 3.5 mi
Washington
Seattle	Records too incomplete to compare					Seattle Tacoma Area, 12.8 mi
Spokane	48.1 in.	18.5 in.	—	34.2 in.	55%	Spokane Area, 6.5 mi
Tacoma	Records too incomplete to compare					Seattle Tacoma Area, 15.9 mi
Vancouver	4.7 in.	0 in.	8.5 in.	1.4 in.	70%	Portland International Airport, 3.4 mi
Bellevue	Records too incomplete to compare					Seattle Tacoma Airport, 13.1 mi
Kent	Records too incomplete to compare					Seattle Tacoma Airport, 6.3 mi
West Virginia
Charleston	28.9 in.	23.7 in.	28.4 in.	33.5 in.	99%	Charleston Area, 3 mi
Huntington	17.2 in.	11.2 in.	27.3 in.	23.8 in.	121%	Huntington Area, 8.7 mi
Morgantown	23.5 in.	19.1 in.	14.9 in.	37.4 in.	101%	Clarksburg 1, 33.8 mi
Parkersburg	21.8 in.	15.5 in.	5.9 in.	23.1 in.	68%	Newport, 19.8 mi
Wheeling	16.5 in.	19.3 in.	6.7 in.	8.1 in.	69%	Pike Island(Lock And Dam), 5.6 mi
Martinsburg	28.5 in.	13.5 in.	13.3 in.	31 in.	68%	Hagerstown 1E, 19 mi
Wisconsin
Milwaukee	50.6 in.	41 in.	39.6 in.	39.1 in.	79%	Milwaukee Area, 7.4 mi
Madison	52.2 in.	42.5 in.	53.9 in.	32.7 in.	82%	Madison Area, 5.3 mi
Green Bay	56.4 in.	42.9 in.	46.1 in.	50 in.	82%	Green Bay Area, 6.6 mi
Kenosha	50.6 in.	41 in.	39.6 in.	39.1 in.	79%	Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, 25.9 mi
Racine	50.6 in.	41 in.	39.6 in.	39.1 in.	79%	Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, 16.4 mi
Appleton	49.8 in.	43 in.	34.9 in.	47.3 in.	84%	Appleton, 2.4 mi
Wyoming
Cheyenne	64.5 in.	54 in.	47.2 in.	91.7 in.	100%	Cheyenne Area, 1.7 mi
Casper	73.4 in.	46.7 in.	—	86.6 in.	91%	Casper Area, 9.7 mi
Gillette	55.2 in.	29.2 in.	68.3 in.	35.5 in.	80%	Gillette 3SE, 3.3 mi
Laramie	91.4 in.	—	98.9 in.	130.8 in.	126%	Virginia Dale 7 Ene, 30.7 mi
Rock Springs	Records too incomplete to compare					Green River, 12.5 mi
Sheridan	Records too incomplete to compare					Sheridan Area, 1.9 mi

Sources: NOAA Regional Climate Centers, Applied Climate Information System (ACIS): daily station records; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño looms large over U.S. winter outlook; NOAA Climate Prediction Center, Prognostic Discussion for Long-Lead Seasonal Outlooks.

Facts checked November 1, 2026.

Published October 31, 2026 · Updated October 31, 2026