Farmers’ Almanac Snow Map: What The Updated Winter Outlook Says For Your State

The Farmers' Almanac has released an updated snow map and winter outlook for 2026–2027, breaking the U.S. into seven zones and highlighting which states are most likely to see snow, ice, and cold snaps.

The updated Farmers' Almanac winter outlook divides the United States into seven forecast zones, each with its own temperature, precipitation, and snow-risk expectations. 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.

Here is what the updated snow map says for each region and the states within them.

Zone 1 – Northeast and New England

States: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C.

• Temperature: Variable, with cold snaps followed by milder stretches.
• Precipitation: Near-normal overall; rain events more likely than extended snow periods.
• Snow Risk: Moderate; snowfall possible but not persistent.

The Almanac notes that inland areas of the Northeast could see multiple rounds of heavy, wet snow, which can be particularly damaging to trees and power lines. Coastal zones are more likely to experience rain and mixed precipitation.

State Highlights

• New York: Upstate and interior regions face moderate snow risk; NYC and Long Island more likely to see rain or mixed precipitation.
• Pennsylvania: Northern and western areas could see periodic snow; Philadelphia and the southeast more rain-focused.
• Maryland and D.C.: Some areas, including parts of Maryland and the capital region, are predicted to experience more snow and colder temperatures than normal compared to recent winters.
• New England: Central and northern sections have the highest snow potential in this zone.

Zone 2 – Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest

States: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin

• Temperature: Cold snaps with warmer periods in between.
• Precipitation: Near-normal overall; lake-effect bursts in snowbelt areas.
• Snow Risk: Moderate; lake-effect regions above average.

State Highlights

• Ohio: The state could see cold snaps and periods of heavy snow, especially in the north. Lake-effect areas near Lake Erie may receive above-average snowfall.
• Michigan: Snowbelt regions along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are favored for above-normal snow; southern Michigan may see more mixed events.
• Wisconsin: Northern areas face higher snow risk; southern Wisconsin could see near-normal totals with periodic cold snaps.
• Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky: Snowfall risk is moderate, with more frequent cold snaps than in recent mild winters.

Zone 3 – Southeast

States: Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida

• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly below; wet and stormy.
• Precipitation: Above-normal; elevated storm frequency.
• Snow Risk: Low; ice possible in Appalachian foothills.

State Highlights

• Virginia and West Virginia: Higher elevations and Appalachian areas have the best chance of snow; lower elevations more likely to see rain or ice.
• Tennessee: Northern communities, including the Tennessee Valley, have a better chance of seeing snow or ice than locations farther south.
• Alabama: Northern Alabama has a slightly better shot at snow or ice than the Gulf Coast, but overall risk remains low.
• Florida: Expected to have a milder winter, especially toward the end of the season, with above-normal temperatures and no significant snow expected.

Zone 4 – North Central

States: Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana

• Temperature: Cold snaps likely despite El Niño warming tendency.
• Precipitation: Near-normal; some drought in the northern Plains.
• Snow Risk: Moderate; Rockies variable.

State Highlights

• Minnesota, Dakotas: Cold snaps and periodic snow expected; northern Plains may see some drought conditions.
• Colorado, Wyoming, Montana: Mountain snowpack is variable; some areas could see near-normal snow, others below.
• Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas: Moderate snow risk with more frequent cold snaps than in recent years.

Zone 5 – South Central

States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico

• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly below.
• Precipitation: Above-normal; flood risk in Texas and the Gulf.
• Snow Risk: Low; ice possible in Oklahoma and northern Texas.

State Highlights

• Texas: Above-normal precipitation raises flood risk along the Gulf Coast; snow risk is very low, but ice is possible in northern areas.
• Oklahoma: Occasional ice storms are possible as cold air interacts with moisture from the Gulf.
• Arkansas, Louisiana: Wet and stormy winter with low snow risk.
• New Mexico: Mountain areas could see some snow; lower elevations remain mild.

Zone 6 – Northwest

States: Washington, Oregon, Idaho

Farmers’ Almanac 2024-25 winter outlook released | WANE 15

• Temperature: Near-normal; active storm pattern.
• Precipitation: Near-normal to above; Cascade snowpack variable.
• Snow Risk: Above-normal in the Cascades and Idaho Rockies.

State Highlights

• Washington: Eastern Washington and areas like Spokane may see milder temperatures but snowier conditions; western Washington more rain-focused.
• Oregon: Eastern Oregon, including places like Bend, could see milder temperatures but snowier conditions; Willamette Valley more rain.
• Idaho: Above-normal snowfall expected in the Rockies and mountain areas; valleys see more mixed precipitation.

Zone 7 – Southwest

States: California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona

• Temperature: Near-normal to slightly above.
• Precipitation: Above-normal in southern California and Arizona.
• Snow Risk: Low at lower elevations; Sierra snowpack uncertain.

State Highlights

• California: Southern California and the Sierra could see above-normal precipitation; snowpack outlook is uncertain, with lower elevations seeing mostly rain.
• Arizona: Above-normal precipitation possible, which could bring drought relief; snow mainly confined to higher elevations.
• Nevada, Utah: Mountain areas could see periodic snow; valleys remain milder.

Alaska and Hawaii

• Alaska: Temperatures are expected to be milder than normal but with more snow in many areas.
• Hawaii: Not emphasized in the seven-zone U.S. map, but generally expected to see near-normal winter conditions with typical trade-wind patterns.

El Niño's Role in the Snow 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.

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.

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.

Key Takeaways by Region

• Northeast and New England: Moderate snow risk; inland areas could see heavy, wet snow; coastal zones more rain and mixed precipitation.
• Great Lakes and Midwest: Moderate snow risk overall; lake-effect snowbelts above average.
• Southeast: Low snow risk; ice possible in Appalachian foothills; Florida mild.
• North Central: Cold snaps likely; moderate snow risk; Rockies variable.
• South Central: Low snow risk; ice possible in Oklahoma and northern Texas; flood risk along the Gulf.
• Northwest: Above-normal snow in Cascades and Idaho Rockies; valleys more rain and mixed precipitation.
• Southwest: Low snow risk at lower elevations; mountain snow uncertain; above-normal precipitation in southern CA and AZ.

What This Means for Your State

The Farmers' Almanac snow map does not predict exact snowfall totals for each city, but it does highlight which regions are most likely to face:

• Heavy snow (especially in mountain areas, snowbelts, and parts of the Northeast).
• Ice and mixed precipitation (particularly in the Appalachians, mid-Atlantic, and parts of the South Central zone).
• Prolonged cold snaps (mainly in the North Central, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley).
• Milder, wetter winters (across the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and much of the Southwest).

For residents in snow-prone areas, the map is 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.

Final Thoughts

The Farmers' Almanac snow map provides a zone-by-zone look at where snow, ice, and cold are most likely this winter. While no long-range forecast is perfect, the updated outlook offers a useful starting point for understanding what your state might face during the 2026–2027 winter season.