[VIDEO] Direct Weather Winter 2025-26 Forecast: Final Update Predicts Snowiest and Driest Regions

Direct Weather yesterday released its final update to its winter 2025-26 forecast. Below is a summary of the video.

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The Direct Weather winter forecast for 2025-2026 anticipates a distinct split in snow and temperature patterns across the United States. The northern and northwestern United States, including the northern Rockies, northern Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, and interior Northeast, are expected to experience below normal temperatures with above average snowfall, driven by active storm tracks and potential polar vortex events starting as early as late November or early December. These regions are likely to see frequent winter storms, major snowfall events, and lake-effect snow, particularly around the Great Lakes, contributing to a snowy and cold winter season.

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In contrast, the southwestern United States, including California, Nevada, southwestern Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico and Texas, is forecast to have above normal temperatures with below average precipitation and snowfall, linked to a weak La Niña pattern causing a drier, warmer winter there. The west coast from northern California to Oregon may have more storminess but overall warm conditions prevail in the southwest.

The eastern U.S. from the Midwest through the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, and Northeast is expected to have cold and snowy conditions with above average precipitation and opportunities for significant snowstorms, including possible blizzards along the mid-Atlantic to New England coast. The Gulf Coast and southern interior states might see colder conditions with some chance of unusual snowfall events, though snow remains rare in these southernmost areas.

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Overall, the northwest and northern Rockies should see active storm systems and higher snowfall chances, while the southwest stays warm and dry. The Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast have a strong likelihood of cold, snowy winters with potential for notable snowstorms and lake-effect snow. This winter forecast also warns of a strong likelihood of polar vortex-driven cold air outbreaks and a winter battle zone with mixed precipitation types in southern states.

This summary focuses on expected snowfall timing and areas with the most snow: from early December onward, expect heavy snow in the northwestern states, the northern Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, and interior Northeast, with a possible late-winter surge of storms sustaining snowpack. Meanwhile, the southwestern U.S. will generally see less snow and warmer conditions, with some variability possible but lower overall snowfall chances.

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This aligns with typical weak La Niña impacts, highlighting a winter season with snowy, cold conditions primarily in the northern half of the country and drier, milder conditions in the Southwest and parts of the southern U.S.