NOAA winter weather forecast map: Which US states could see more rain and snow this year?
NOAA's new winter maps show a strong El Nino could bring more rain to the south and warmer weather up north.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has released new winter weather maps for the United States, predicting a mix of warmer temperatures, increased rain, and altered snowfall patterns between December 2026 and February 2027. Much of the country is expected to experience warmer-than-normal weather, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Plains, Midwest, and Northeast.
Warmer conditions are also likely to prevail across the southern US, with the Gulf Coast, Florida, and California being exceptions where temperatures may remain near normal. Meanwhile, Southern California, the Southwest, southern Plains, and Gulf Coast regions could witness more rainfall than usual, while parts of the Northwest, northern Rockies, and areas near the Great Lakes may experience drier conditions.
In terms of snowfall, some of the best chances for above-average snowfall this year are predicted in the Southwest and southern Rockies, with California's Central Sierra region showing the most promising signs. Utah's ski areas and parts of southern Colorado may also benefit from a snowier-than-normal season. However, northern US and Canadian regions could end up with below-average snowfall.
Warmer temperatures may cause more rain than snow in Washington, despite near-normal precipitation levels. The El Niño phenomenon, characterized by warmer ocean waters, can alter storm patterns and impact where rain and snowfall occur.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
