Farmers’ Almanac Releases Updated Winter Map: Snow, Ice, And Cold Zones Revealed

The Farmers' Almanac has issued an updated winter outlook for 2026–2027, breaking the United States into seven zones and highlighting areas most likely to face snow, ice, and prolonged cold.

Seven-Zone Winter Outlook

The updated Farmers' Almanac winter map divides the country into seven forecast zones, each with its own temperature, precipitation, and snow-risk outlook. The publication describes the coming season as one of sharp contrasts, with an active southern storm track, quick bursts of snow, and bitter cold across parts of the North, alongside milder conditions elsewhere.

The seven zones are:

• Zone 1 – Northeast and New England
• Zone 2 – Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest
• Zone 3 – Southeast
• Zone 4 – North Central
• Zone 5 – South Central
• Zone 6 – Northwest
• Zone 7 – Southwest

Snow Zones: Where Heavy Snow Is Expected

The updated map identifies several regions with an elevated risk of above-normal snowfall this winter:

• Southern New England and the Appalachians: These areas are forecast to see some of the most challenging winter conditions, with below-normal temperatures and above-normal snowfall, especially across northern sections.
• Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest: Mountain areas in Idaho, the Cascades, and parts of the Rockies are expected to receive above-normal snow, although lower elevations may see more rain or mixed precipitation.
• Alaska: Above-normal snowfall is forecast for many parts of the state, alongside above-normal temperatures.

The snowiest periods are expected in mid-December, mid-January, and early to late February, with additional snow possible in early and late March for some regions.

Ice Zones: Mixed Precipitation Risks

In addition to snow, the Farmers' Almanac highlights areas where ice and mixed precipitation are more likely:

• Appalachian foothills and parts of the Southeast: While overall snowfall risk is low, ice events are possible, especially during stormy periods.
• Oklahoma and northern Texas: The South Central zone could see occasional ice storms as cold air interacts with moisture from the Gulf.
• Mid-Atlantic into New England: Coastal storms may bring a tricky mix of rain, sleet, ice, and heavy wet snow, particularly during the heart of winter.

The Almanac warns that inland portions of the Northeast could see multiple rounds of heavy, wet snow, which can be particularly damaging to trees and power lines.

Cold Zones: Where Temperatures Will Dip Lowest

The coldest conditions are forecast for a corridor stretching from central New England through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley. This region is expected to experience:

• Below-normal temperatures overall, with frequent cold snaps.
• Prolonged periods of winter weather in mid-January and February.
• Increased risk of heavy snowfall and extended cold spells.

The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest are also expected to see cold snaps with warmer periods in between. Lake-effect snow belts around the Great Lakes could receive above-average snowfall, while interior areas may see near-normal totals.

Mildest Regions: Less Snow, More Rain

Not every part of the country is bracing for a harsh winter. The Farmers' Almanac forecasts relatively mild conditions for:

• Florida, Texas, the Deep South, and much of the Desert Southwest: These areas are expected to see near-normal to above-normal temperatures, with precipitation falling mainly as rain.
• Southern California and Arizona: Above-normal precipitation is possible, which could bring drought relief, but snowfall risk at lower elevations remains low.

While these regions may avoid significant snow, they could still face stormy weather, flooding risks, and occasional cold snaps.

Farmers’ Almanac 2024-25 Winter Forecast: Cold, Wet, Snowy Winter Ahead

El Niño's Influence on the Winter Map

The updated outlook includes an analysis of El Niño's expected impact on the 2026–2027 winter. A strengthening El Niño in the Pacific is likely to:

• Shift the jet stream southward, bringing more storms through the southern tier of the United States.
• Increase the chances of rain, wintry mixes, and snow from the mid-Atlantic into New England.
• Create a more active storm pattern across the Southwest, southern Plains, and Southeast.

Despite El Niño's warming tendency in some regions, the Farmers' Almanac still forecasts cold snaps across the northern tier, including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and northern Plains.

Regional Breakdown by Zone

Zone 1 – Northeast and New England

• States: NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC
• Temperature: Variable; cold snaps followed by mild stretches
• Precipitation: Near-normal; rain events more likely than extended snow periods
• Snow Risk: Moderate; snowfall possible but not persistent

Zone 2 – Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest

• States: OH, MI, IN, KY, IL, WI
• Temperature: Cold snaps with warmer periods
• Precipitation: Near-normal overall; lake-effect bursts in snowbelt
• Snow Risk: Moderate; lake-effect regions above average

Zone 3 – Southeast

• States: TN, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, FL
• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly below; wet and stormy
• Precipitation: Above-normal; elevated storm frequency
• Snow Risk: Low; ice possible in Appalachian foothills

Zone 4 – North Central

• States: MO, IA, MN, ND, SD, NE, KS, CO, WY, MT
• Temperature: Cold snaps likely despite El Niño warming
• Precipitation: Near-normal; some drought in northern Plains
• Snow Risk: Moderate; Rockies variable

Zone 5 – South Central

• States: AR, LA, OK, TX, NM
• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly below
• Precipitation: Above-normal; flood risk in Texas and Gulf
• Snow Risk: Low; ice possible in OK and northern TX

Zone 6 – Northwest

• States: WA, OR, ID
• Temperature: Near-normal; active storm pattern
• Precipitation: Near-normal to above; mountain snowpack variable
• Snow Risk: Above-normal in Cascades and Idaho Rockies

Zone 7 – Southwest

• States: CA, NV, UT, AZ
• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly above
• Precipitation: Above-normal in southern CA and AZ
• Snow Risk: Low at lower elevations; Sierra snowpack uncertain

When to Expect the Worst Winter Weather

The Farmers' Almanac identifies several periods when winter conditions are likely to be most severe:

• Mid- to late December: Early-season cold snaps and snow events.
• Mid-January: One of the coldest and snowiest periods of the season.
• Early and late February: Additional heavy snow and extended cold spells.
• Early and late March: Late-season snow possible in some regions.

Residents in snow-prone areas are advised to prepare for multiple rounds of winter weather, particularly during these peak periods.

How This Map Compares to Other Forecasts

The Farmers' Almanac outlook differs in some respects from other seasonal forecasts, including the Old Farmer's Almanac and NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. For example:

• The Farmers' Almanac shows cold and periodic snow across the entire northern tier, from Montana and the Dakotas through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
• The Old Farmer's Almanac emphasizes a milder overall winter for much of the country, with above-normal snowfall concentrated in the Northeast, Appalachians, Intermountain West, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.
• NOAA's outlook focuses on broad temperature and precipitation probabilities rather than specific snowfall totals.

These differences highlight the uncertainty inherent in long-range forecasting. Seasonal maps show tendencies, not guarantees.

Key Takeaways

• The Farmers' Almanac has released an updated seven-zone winter map for 2026–2027.
• Snow zones include southern New England, the Appalachians, the Intermountain West, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.
• Ice zones include the Appalachian foothills, parts of the Southeast, Oklahoma, northern Texas, and the mid-Atlantic into New England.
• Cold zones center on a corridor from central New England through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley.
• Mildest regions include Florida, Texas, the Deep South, and much of the Desert Southwest.
• El Niño is expected to shape storm patterns, increasing moisture across the southern tier and raising the risk of mixed precipitation in some areas.
• The harshest conditions are forecast for mid-January and February.

Preparing for a Winter of Contrasts

The Farmers' Almanac describes the 2026–2027 winter as a season of sharp contrasts. Some regions will face bitter cold, heavy snow, and icy conditions, while others will experience a relatively mild and wet winter.

For residents in snow and ice zones, the map serves as a reminder to prepare early: stock up on supplies, check heating systems, and plan for potential travel disruptions. In milder regions, the focus may be more on flooding risks and storm preparedness than on snow removal.

While no long-range forecast is perfect, the updated Farmers' Almanac winter map provides a useful starting point for understanding where snow, ice, and cold are most likely to strike this season.