[VIDEO] Direct Weather Updated Winter 2025-26 Forecast: Region-by-Region Snow and Cold Predictions

The updated Direct Weather winter 2025–2026 forecast predicts a dynamic season across major US mountain regions, with significant variations in snowfall and temperatures by region. Below is a breakdown by region/mountain range with expected snow and cold conditions, but check out the video for more details.

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Western US and Mountain Ranges

• Pacific Northwest (Cascades, Sierra Nevada): Expect milder than normal temperatures due to persistent warm Pacific waters, leading to overall warmer conditions. Precipitation will be average to slightly above average thanks to a dominant northern jet stream, but many lower-elevation areas may see fewer opportunities for significant snowfalls.
• Northern Rockies (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming): Temperatures will be above average, but high elevations should still receive average to possibly above-average snowfall, as the precipitation is expected to stay near normal and mountain climates remain cold enough for consistent snowfall.
• Southern Rockies (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona): Warmer and drier than usual. Southern Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico may see below-average to average snowfall, with fewer big storms and more small to medium snow events.

Central States and Plains

• Central Rockies & Plains (Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas/Oklahoma Panhandle): Anticipate cold and snowy conditions, with opportunities for significant snow driven by deep jet stream troughs. A polar vortex event is likely, bringing at least one major Arctic outbreak and boosting snow chances in northern areas.

Northern US (Upper Midwest, Great Lakes)

• Upper Midwest & Great Lakes (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois): This region is favored for much colder than normal weather and multiple snow events. Expect “quantity over quality”: more frequent small-to-medium snowstorms yielding well above-average snow totals overall. Great Lakes traditional lake-effect snow may vary depending on the autumn lake temperature trends, but overall, expect a snowy winter with some potential for major storms.

Northeast and Appalachians

• Northeast (New York, New England, Mid-Atlantic): Colder temperatures and increased snow chances, with above-average precipitation as multiple storm tracks converge here. High chances of significant nor’easters and major snowstorms, especially if jet stream patterns align. Appalachian ranges and coastal regions, including ski areas in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Pennsylvania, may see some of their snowiest winters in recent years, with blizzard conditions possible.
• Mid-Atlantic/Appalachians: Opportunities for major east coast snowstorms are elevated, especially if pressure systems in the Atlantic set up favorably. Ski areas may experience several large snowfall events if timing aligns.

Southern US

Deep South (Northern Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Carolinas): Colder and snowier than usual for northern sections—a rare setup. While heavy snow is very unusual here, chances for “outlier” snow events (including ice/sleet/rain mixes) are higher than a typical year. Southernmost areas (Florida, southern Texas) still face very low chances but a minor increase compared to historical normal.

Key Takeaways

• West (Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Northern Rockies): Warmer, but mountains still snowy; lower elevations may see rain or no snow.
• Central/Northern Plains and East (Rockies eastward to the Great Lakes and Northeast): Colder and snowier, with increased above-average snow especially for lakes and highland ski areas.
• Southern Region: Unusually cold, with outlier snow/ice events possible but rare.

Expect a volatile winter with above-average snow in the Midwest, Northeast, and upper Appalachians, while western and southwestern ski destinations see warmer, drier trends except at high elevation.