by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:10 PM ET, Tue August 19, 2025
We may not have even passed the Labor Day finish line for summer, but the weather experts at Farmers’ Almanac are already offering a preview of what’s on tap for winter weather.
Translation: If you have travel plans for winter 2025, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea) and pull up a chair. You’ll want to make note of what to expect in the months ahead.
The experts at Farmers’ Almanac have released their much-anticipated ‘Extended Weather Forecast’ for winter 2025-2026. And the top-line takeaway is we’re in for a season of “dramatic swings and widespread wintery weather."
To that end, the winter ahead has been dubbed “Chill, Snow, Repeat,” and is expected to feature cold temperatures, frequent snowfalls, and plenty of surprises for every region in the United States.
Cold fronts take center stage
According to the Farmers’ Almanac’s time-tested prediction formula (which has apparently been refined over more than 200 years and factoring in everything from sunspots to lunar cycles), the coldest blasts for the coming winter travel season will target the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England.
Meaning, it may be best to avoid planning a getaway to those areas if cold is not your bag.
The experts at Farmers’ Almanac say from Minnesota to Maine “brace for consistent cold snaps, with mid-January and mid-February both set for especially bitter temperatures.”
Separately, the Northwest, including Washington and Idaho, should also prepare for a deep winter’s chill.
Calling all snow lovers
If it’s a classic winter wonderland you’re after this winter as a traveler, this is your year.
“New England and the Great Lakes are forecast to see frequent snowstorms, with the Pacific Northwest’s mountains also in for a powdery treat,” says Farmers’ Almanac. “The Mid-Atlantic, especially mountainous areas should keep those shovels handy—periodic heavy snow is in the cards.”
Rain and wet weather in South and West
One final note for avid travelers, if rain is not your thing either, you may want to check the forecast carefully before booking a trip to the south or west this winter.
“The “Chill, Snow, Repeat” pattern isn’t all about flakes,” says Farmers’ Almanac. “The Southeast, South Central, and Southwest are in for a wetter-than-normal winter, with Texas and neighboring states facing multiple cold rain events and occasional freezing precipitation.”
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