PITTSBURGH – Residents across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia could be dealing with snow much earlier than usual this year, as La Niña sets the stage for a stormy, wetter-than-normal winter. Forecasters warn flakes could fly as early as September in higher elevations, with the likelihood of above-average snowfall continuing well into February.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the La Niña pattern will dominate the upcoming season, funneling a steady storm track across the Ohio Valley and western Appalachians. This increases the odds for heavy snow bursts in cities like Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Morgantown, with frequent rounds of freezing rain possible in river valleys. The Farmers’ Almanac describes the 2025/2026 season with the blunt outlook: “Chill, Snow, Repeat.”
Travel could quickly become dangerous along key routes including I-70, I-79, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where icy stretches are often the first to freeze. Power companies in northern West Virginia are also preparing for heavier tree and line damage if ice storms materialize.
The region should expect repeated winter hazards into February, with no quick break from the cold, wet pattern. More detailed advisories are expected later this fall as the National Weather Service issues updated outlooks.
