Old Farmer's Almanac snow map reveals where winter could be snowiest

Summer may still be hanging on, but The Old Farmer's Almanac is already looking ahead to sweater weather, snow days and the inevitable return of scraping ice from the windshield.

The publication has released its winter forecast for 2026–2027 , predicting a mostly mild season across the United States. However, a few regions could be in for a colder and snowier winter than usual.

Overall, temperatures are expected to hover near or above normal across much of the country. The notable exception is a chilly stretch extending from central New England through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley. Hawaii is also forecast to be slightly cooler than normal.

"Winter won't look the same everywhere this year," Carol Connare, editor-in-chief of The Old Farmer's Almanac , said in the forecast. "While much of the country is headed for a milder season, some areas will still see plenty of cold and snow."

Here's a look at which parts of the country may want to keep the snow shovels close.

Where is it expected to snow the most this winter?

Snow lovers may have the best luck in parts of the Northeast, the Appalachians, the Intermountain West, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, where snowfall is forecast to be above normal.

The southern portion of the Northeast is expected to have a particularly wintry season, with below-normal temperatures and above-normal snowfall. The snowiest stretches are forecast for mid- and late December, mid-January and early and late March.

The Appalachians could also face a tougher winter, especially in northern portions of the region. Temperatures and precipitation are expected to be below normal overall, but snowfall is forecast to be above normal, with the biggest chances arriving in mid-January and early and late February.

Out West, the Intermountain region—which includes parts of Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona—is expected to be warmer and wetter than normal. Even with the milder temperatures, above-normal snowfall could make travel tricky at times. The snowiest periods are predicted for late November, late December and early February.

The Pacific Northwest is also forecast to be warmer than normal but wet and snowy, with the flakes most likely to fly in late December, mid-January and mid-February. Alaska, meanwhile, is expected to experience above-normal temperatures and snowfall.

Which regions could have a mild winter?

A warmer-than-normal winter is forecast for a broad swath of the country, including the Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, Florida, Deep South, Upper Midwest, Heartland, Texas and Oklahoma, High Plains, Desert Southwest and much of the West.

The Desert Southwest is expected to be both warmer and drier than usual, with below-normal snowfall in places that typically receive it. The High Plains could see a similar pattern, with above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation and snow.

Texas and Oklahoma are also forecast to have a warmer, drier winter, though northern portions of the region could still see snow in early and late January or early February.

In the Upper Midwest, winter may begin on a relatively mild note before colder weather moves in later in the season. The coldest stretch is expected in mid- to late January, with snowfall near or below normal overall.

The Lower Lakes region is forecast to be warmer and less snowy than normal, but that doesn't necessarily mean an easy winter. Above-normal precipitation is expected, and January could still deliver some classic winter weather.

Read More: Old Farmer's Almanac 2026 fall forecast: When will your state finally cool off?

What is shaping the winter forecast?

The Old Farmer's Almanac says its long-range predictions draw on solar science, climatology and meteorology, along with historical weather patterns and large-scale climate signals.

This winter, forecasters are monitoring several factors that could shape the season, including El Niño, ocean surface temperatures and changes in the jet stream. A strong El Niño can influence where storms, rain, snow and cold air travel across North America, often favoring milder temperatures across much of the United States and wetter conditions in parts of the West and South.

Of course, long-range outlooks are best treated as a broad preview rather than a snow-day calendar. Weather can vary considerably within a region, and conditions can shift as winter gets closer. But if the forecast holds, much of the country may get a relatively mild season—while the Northeast, Appalachians and mountain West receive plenty of reminders that winter is still winter.