Weather
In the “Preliminary Winter 24/25 Forecast” video, Direct Weather discusses precipitation, temperature, and snowfall anomalies for the upcoming winter.
Tl;dr: Great news for powder hounds in the Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northeast! Above-average snowfall is expected in these regions, with heavy dumps likely in the Cascades and Rockies. The Midwest and Great Lakes are set for an active lake-effect snow season. However, skiers in the Southwest should brace for a drier-than-normal winter, with below-average snowfall anticipated. Colder temperatures in the northern regions should help maintain good snow conditions, while the potential for big storms in the Appalachians could bring some epic powder days to East Coast resorts.
- Related: NOAA Winter 24/25 Forecast: La Niña Returns and What That Means For Next Winter’s Ski Season
Below-average precipitation is expected for the Southwest, California, Nevada, and Arizona, while above-average precipitation is forecasted for the Northwest, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
Below-average temperatures are anticipated for regions with above-average precipitation, such as the Northwest and parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. There is high confidence in below-average temperatures in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, interior Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and warmer temperatures in the Southwest.
Snowfall anomalies are discussed, with below-average chances for the Southwest, south-central, and Southeast and above-average chances for the Northwest, Northern Plains, Central Plains, Midwest, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. The potential for an active Lake Effect snowfall year is mentioned.
Regions expected to experience significant weather events include the Southwest, which will experience extreme dryness. The Northwest will experience heavy snowfall in the Cascades and Rockies; the North Central States will experience polar vortex events; the Midwest and Ohio Valley will experience an active Lake Effect snowfall pattern; and the Appalachian mountain range will experience huge snowstorms that could potentially impact the southeastern states.
