Old Farmer’s Almanac Releases Winter Weather Forecasts for Every U.S. State
BOSTON, Mass. — The Old Farmer’s Almanac, one of the nation’s longest-running weather guides, has released its 2025–26 winter forecast, offering predictions for each U.S. state. This year’s outlook shows a patchwork of conditions, from mild and dry winters in many regions to cold and snowy weather in others.
Mild and Dry Conditions Across Much of the U.S.
Large portions of the country, including New England, California, Alaska, Hawaii, the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, are forecast to experience mild and dry winters.
Additional regions such as Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Delaware are also expected to trend toward milder, drier conditions.
States Expecting Snowier and Wetter Winters
Some states are projected to see mild but wet winters, particularly across the West. That includes Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and parts of Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming, along with the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.
On the opposite side, several regions should prepare for cold and snowy conditions. These include West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Meanwhile, parts of West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are forecast to experience mild but snowy conditions.
Cold, Dry Winters in the Midwest and South
According to the Almanac, parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia will see cold but dry winters, with limited precipitation despite chilly temperatures.
Florida is the outlier: it is the only state forecast for a cold and wet winter, with the Almanac predicting above-normal precipitation in November and February, and slightly drier conditions in December through March.
How the Forecasts Are Made
First published in 1792, the Old Farmer’s Almanac develops its seasonal outlooks using a mix of solar science, climatology, and meteorology. Solar activity, such as sunspots, is combined with long-term weather patterns and atmospheric observations to create the predictions.
“Winter in Florida is usually the dry season, so it doesn’t take much more moisture to make it wetter than normal,” explained Carol Connare, editor of the Almanac. “Temperatures will also be slightly lower than normal thanks to cold fronts and Canadian air pushing south during the season.”
With its forecasts now in circulation, the 2025–26 Old Farmer’s Almanac is hitting store shelves nationwide. For many families, it remains a trusted seasonal guide—whether for planning travel, farming, or simply preparing for the months ahead.
Stay tuned to ChicagoMusicGuide.com for more seasonal outlooks and weather forecasts.