Winter Weather Forecast 2021
from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Light Winter for Many, Colder in the West

Every year, folks ask us … what’s the winter forecast? Without further ado, here is a sneak peak at our famous long-range weather predictions from The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac edition—including the winter maps for all of the U.S. and Canada.

Good maps, certainly, but not our complete forecast. For that, you’ll need a copy of The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac, which can now be found in local stores across North America. Or, order a copy from the comfort of your easy chair at TheAlmanacStore.com.

Will it be a snowy winter? Will it be an exceptionally cold winter? How bad a winter is it going to be? We’ve highlighted our regional weather summaries below to give you an idea of what kind of winter we’re going to have in the 2020-2021 season—and why.

Order Your 2021 Almanac Here

What’s Shaping the Weather this Year?

Solar Cycle 25 is now underway. Cycle 24 was the smallest in more than 100 years and possibly the smallest since the Dalton Minimum in the early 1800s, while Cycle 25 is expected to also bring very low solar activity. Although such minimal activity has historically meant cooler temperatures across Earth, we believe the recent warming trends will dominate in the eastern and northern parts of the nation this winter, with only the Southwest being colder than normal. Most of Canada will have a cold and snowy winter. However, rising temperature trends mean that the winter will not bring extreme cold; instead, it will be closer to normal

U.S. Winter Weather Forecast 2020-2021

If you were hoping for a reprieve from harsh winter weather this year, we have some news that just might make you smile. We’re predicting a light winter for most of us here in the United States, with warmer-than-normal temperatures in the forecast for a large part of the country.

Uncommonly chilly temperatures will be limited mostly to the western states and northeastern New England. Specifically, winter will be colder than normal in Maine; the Intermountain, Desert Southwest, and Pacific Southwest regions; and eastern Hawaii and above normal elsewhere.

On the precipitation side of things, expect “wet” to be a wintertime constant, with rain or average to below-average snowfall to be the standard throughout most of the country.

Specifically, precipitation will be below normal from Delmarva into North Carolina; in the southern Appalachians, Georgia, and Florida from the Ohio Valley westward to the Pacific and southward to the Gulf and Mexico; and in western Hawaii and above or near normal elsewhere.

Snowfall will be greater than normal in the Northeast, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, the High Plains, and northern Alaska and below normal in most other areas that receive snow.

Order Your U.S. 2021 Almanac Here

Canadian Winter Weather Forecast 2020-2021

The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition is calling for below-normal winter temperatures through most of the country. However, it’s still winter and expect frigid and frosty weather!

The exception will be in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies, which will experience above-normal temperatures.

Precipitation will be above normal in all of the Commonwealth. Snowfall will be much greater than normal from Quebec westward through most of the Prairies and close to normal elsewhere.

So, while the Atlantic Canada and the Prairies may feel some relief from winter’s chill, they–like the rest of the country—will see lots of rain, snow, and sleet.

Areas from Alberta eastward to Quebec should brace for a virtually continual “Snow Train” that will be carrying a series of winter storms throughout the season.

Order Your Canadian 2021 Almanac Here

Hawaii (Region 18)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In Hawaii, rainfall will be above normal in the east and below normal in the west.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter season temperatures will be below average in the east and above average in the west.

Alaska (Region 17)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In Alaska, snowfall will be above normal in the north and below normal in the south. Precipitation will also be slightly above normal.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures will be milder than normal with the coldest periods in late November, early January, and early and mid-February.

Pacific Southwest (Region 16)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Pacific Southwest (most of California, including San Francisco south to San Diego), winter will be drier than normal with below-normal mountain snows.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Despite below-normal precipitation, temperatures will be cooler than what’s typical. The coldest temperatures will occur in late December, late January, and mid- to late February.

Pacific Northwest (Region 15)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

This year, the Pacific Northwest (Seattle south to Eureka) will have below-normal snowfalls with the snowiest periods in early December and from mid- to late February.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures and precipitation will be close to normal, on average, in the Pacific Northwest. The coldest periods will occur in mid-January and early and late February.

Desert Southwest (Region 14)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Desert Southwest, snowfall will be below normal in most areas that normally receive snow, with the snowiest periods in late December and late February.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter will be colder and drier than normal, with the coldest periods in mid- and late December and mid- and late February.

Intermountain (Region 13)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the western Intermountain region (Spokane down to Flagstaff, and Reno to Salt Lake City), snowfall will be near normal. Overall precipitation will be slightly below normal, on average.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter will be slightly milder than normal, with cold periods in early to mid-December, late January, and late February.

High Plains (Region 12)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the High Plains (Bismarck to Billings to Denver to Amarillo), snowfall will be above normal in most places. Overall precipitation will be above normal in the north and slightly below normal in the south.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter will be milder than normal, with the coldest periods in mid-November, December, late January, and late February.

Texas-Oklahoma (Region 11)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Texas-Oklahoma region, winter will be drier than normal, on average, with below-normal snowfall in places that normally receive snow. The best chance for snow will be in late January.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter will be milder temperatures than normal, with the coldest periods in mid-November, early to mid-December, and late January.

The Heartland (Region 10)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Heartland (Western Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Eastern Nebraska and Kansas), snowfall will be below normal in most places with precipitation below normal, whether rain or snow.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Expect a mild winter! Winter temperatures will be well above normal, on average.

For the full winter summary with all of the details on the coldest and snowiest periods—including weather predictions by month and by week—pick up a copy of The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac—the one with the familiar yellow cover!

Order Your 2021 Almanac Here

Upper Midwest (Region 9)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Upper Midwest (Minnesota and Wisconsin and northern Michigan), snowfall will be above normal. In the eastern Dakotas, snowfall will be below normal. The snowiest periods will be in late December, early and late January, late February, and early March.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures will be warmer than what’s average in this region. However, the coldest periods will come in December as well as late January and late February.

The Deep South (Region 8)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Deep South (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee), rainfall will be below normal, with the best threats for snow in the north of this region in late December and late January.

Will It Be Especially Cold?

Winter temperatures will be warmer than normal, on average, especially across the northern parts of the region. The coldest periods will be in early and mid-December and in January.

Ohio Valley (Region 7)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Ohio Valley (Pittsburgh; Southern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; Kentucky, West Virginia), snowfall and precipitation will be below normal in most areas. The snowiest periods will be early and mid-December and early to mid-March.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures will be much warmer than what’s typical, despite some cold periods in early and mid-December, from late December into early January, and in late January.

Lower Lakes (Region 6)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

In the Lower Lakes (Syracuse west along the Great Lakes to Chicago and Milwaukee, most of Michigan, south to Indianapolis), snowfall will be below normal in most areas, with the snowiest periods in early and mid-December, mid- to late-February, and early to mid-March.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures will be much above normal, on average, despite cold periods in December and January.

Florida (Region 5)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Not surprisingly, no! In the Florida region, winter will be drier than normal with less precipitation.

Will It Be Especially Cold?

Winter will be milder than normal, even for Florida, with the coldest temperatures in mid-December, early January, and early February.

Appalachians through Southeast (Regions 3, 4)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

For the Appalachians and Southeast regions (most of the Carolinas and Georgia), snowfall will be generally below normal. Precipitation will be above normal in the north and below normal in the south.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter will be warmer than normal, on average, with the coolest periods in mid- and late December and throughout January.

The Atlantic Corridor (Region 2)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

“Sheets of sleet!” In the Atlantic Corridor (extending from Boston to Richmond), the prediction is mostly below-normal snowfall, with precipitation at near-normal levels.

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Winter temperatures will be above normal, on average, which means some typically-chilly winter rainy periods.

The Northeast (Region 1)

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

“It’s Snow Time!” Get excited, folks in the Northeast! We can’t spill the beans on the entire forecast, but snow lovers should be very excited!

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Cold is to be expected during winter, but this coming one will be colder than normal in the northern part of the region and not quite so cold in the south.

For the full winter summary with all of the details on the coldest and snowiest periods—including weather predictions by month and by week—pick up a copy of The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac—the one with the familiar yellow cover!

Order Your 2021 Almanac Here

How Does the Almanac predict the weather?

As is tradition, The Old Farmer’s Almanac employs three scientific disciplines to make long-range predictions: solar science, the study of sunspots and other solar activity; climatology, the study of prevailing weather patterns; and meteorology, the study of the atmosphere. We predict weather trends and events by comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity.

Our forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation deviations from averages, or normals. These are based on 30-year statistical averages prepared by government meteorological agencies. Read more about How We Predict the Weather.

How Accurate Are the Almanac’s Forecasts?

Neither we nor any other forecasters have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, our results are almost always very close to our traditional claim of 80%.

How accurate was our forecast last winter? See our 2019-2020 winter forecast summary.

The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac. A Guarantee of Something Good!

As our millions of loyal readers know, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is so much more than the weather. Our 2021 edition is focused on helping us all to live better, stay healthy, and do more with less. All of this, plus it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The 2021 Almanac is packed with useful information about a host of topics, including a small-space gardening guide on how to grow practically anything anywhere, tips on picking a pet, the definitive guide for avoiding seasonal illnesses, a warning about sea level rise, and many, many more articles.

Plus, The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac includes everything that you expect and look forward in from the Almanac–monthly calendars sprinkled with wit and wisdom, astronomical timetables, planting guides, and bits of valuable advice that continue The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s time-honored tradition of being “useful, with a pleasant degree of humor.”

Look inside the pages!

Accept No Substitutes! The Old Farmer’s Almanac Is North America’s Original Almanac!

There are other books out there that call themselves a “farmer’s almanac.” The Old Farmer’s Almanac—with its familiar yellow cover—is the original and most popular in North America.

The 2021 edition is available wherever books and magazines are sold, including grocery, hardware, and home stores. We encourage readers to buy from independent booksellers and retailers whenever possible.

You can also buy easily from your home this year on AMAZON.com and find exclusive Almanac collections in our Almanac store.

Order your copy of The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac today to get access to our full winter weather forecast; the best advice on gardening, food, home, and trends; and stories that inspire and entertain. Accept no substitutes: Only The Old Farmer’s Almanac will bring you all of this packaged with a “useful degree of humor” to help you get a jump start on a great new year!

As our readers can attest: Good things do come in small packages!

Tell us!

We LOVE hearing from Almanac readers and cherish any opportunity we have to connect with loyal readers and hear what they think. So, tell us: How long have you been reading The Old Farmer’s Almanac? Are you looking forward to the 2021 Almanac? What did you think of the inside pages this year? Are you surprised by the 2021 weather forecast thus far? (Stay tuned as we add another weather region tomorrow.)

Please comment below! We’d love to hear more about why you read the Almanac, which parts of the Almanac you value the most, and what the Almanac means to you!

Comments

Mathew Colfer

January 5, 2021 - 4:16am

Permalink

Earths Climate

Thank you

Mimi West

January 3, 2021 - 11:05am

Permalink

Couldn’t be further from the truth

I live in Bismarck ND. We have NO snow on the ground. In fact this has been the driest warmest winter since we moved here 8 yrs ago. The Almanac is totally WRONG about our weather here. No snow (N to S)from New Town to New England. Or (E to W) from Belfield to Bismarck/Lincoln. No snow !!!!! Very sad situation.

Teresa Fox

January 14, 2021 - 1:36pm

Permalink

Weather

Mimi,
That is why they are called PREDICTIONS! Nobody knows exactly. They can only predict the future based on past experiences. Do you have a crystal ball I can borrow?

Sara

December 31, 2020 - 4:11pm

Permalink

Winter Lower Lakes - again

So far, the OFA forecast for my area (Lower Lakes, 8 miles south of IL/WI state line) has been accurate. We had a slop storm - snow and rain mix that turned to snow, and was quite sloppy. Yesterday (12/30/2020), late in the day, I checked one of my favorite DNR parks near the state line, a place that has a very large fishing lake and is very popular, and the geese were landing in great numbers there on a large open water spot - literally several hundred geese by the time I got there - and more were parachuting in when I got there. Went out again this morning at 7:30AM and waited for a little more light and got a large number of good photos, and the numbers of geese had increased after I left yesterday. It has been warmish here all fall and now into winter and this was our first snow, but it was mixed with rain, too. The NWS forecast coincides with the OFA's prognostication so far.
While parts of northeastern Illinois did get hammered a little bit (more snow than rain), it has, as OFA predicted, been more wet than snowy, and that's fine. The ground needs the moisture.
Looking forward to Spring, when the trilliums bloom!

David DiSandro

December 27, 2020 - 8:32pm

Permalink

Weather

When will Rhode Island get the snow it had on Dec 17th again?

Matt

December 26, 2020 - 1:33pm

Permalink

Most Accurate Weather Predictions

Been using the Almanac to determine how long my snowmobile season could last in Northern Ontario. So far this year it has been pretty accurate but seasonal temps overall have been getting warmer. Previously, people who lived in Ontario's capital Toronto had green Christmas's and mild winters. Now its flipped where they are getting our snow blizzards and deep freezes in spite of there being over 300 km's of distance between our cities. The Almanac predicted that December would be a flip-flop of cold temps and snow for a few days then warmer temps with rain. More precipitation than cold weather when we need the cold first then the snow.

Jean

December 23, 2020 - 7:11pm

Permalink

Will it snow in Mandeville Louisiana

My weather app says it may snow Tomorrow on Christmas Eve 2020. Is this true

Sara

December 19, 2020 - 3:50pm

Permalink

Winter forecast for Lower Lakes

I'm 8 miles south of the IL/WI state line in the northeastern corner of IL. So far, the winter weather has been pretty much as OFA's forecasters said it would be. I check the National Weather Service's daily report, which offers a weekly forecast. and their forecasts on a weekly basis are essentially the same as the more-generalized OFA long-term forecast. And no, I do NOT miss having to shovel snow off my sidewalk or front steps. Not one bit. :)
The geese were still showing up in early December, and some have stuck around because where there is open water and plenty of food, they won't leave until they have to. I have seen this for the past 15 years, so it is nothing new. If they decide to go on to the flyways, they either take off heading eastward, toward that flyway, or west toward a more central flyway, to join the other flocks.
I have plenty of photos recording what they do, been doing this for the past 15 years. If this continues to be a very mild winter in my area, with little to no ice on the local lakes and ponds, it's very possible that the grasses they like, which grow in abundance in my area, will keep them here until they decide to go elsewhere.
I'm waiting to see if those that went on southward will show up again at specific spots next spring. Looking forward to it.

Fatimah

December 16, 2020 - 6:10pm

Permalink

Winter weather In Rhode Island

How's the winter going too be this year??

Benjamin Guthrie

November 22, 2020 - 10:19pm

Permalink

Winter

Will we have a bad winter in Elkmont Alabama

Add new comment

Thank you for your continued patronage. We strive, as always, to be “useful with a pleasant degree of humor.”

Sincerely,
The Editors fo The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Winter Weather Forecast 2021from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Light Winter for Many, Colder in the West

What’s Shaping the Weather this Year?

U.S. Winter Weather Forecast 2020-2021

Canadian Winter Weather Forecast 2020-2021

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will It Be Especially Cold?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will It Be Especially Cold?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

Will It Be a Snowy Winter?

Will We Have an Especially Cold Winter?

How Does the Almanac predict the weather?

How Accurate Are the Almanac’s Forecasts?

The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac. A Guarantee of Something Good!

Accept No Substitutes! The Old Farmer’s Almanac Is North America’s Original Almanac!

Tell us!

Comments

Pages