DETROIT, Mich. – NOAA’s Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, calls for a cold, snowy season across the Great Lakes — the kind that could deliver a white Christmas from Milwaukee to Buffalo. The Climate Prediction Center’s maps show above-normal precipitation and below-normal temperatures across the region, a classic setup for lake-effect snow and repeated Arctic intrusions through February.
According to NOAA meteorologists, La Niña will once again shape the storm track, steering frequent systems across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes basin. “We’re looking at a strong signal for snowier-than-normal conditions this winter,” forecasters said, noting that both the western and eastern lakeshores may see heavy snowbands. Above-normal precipitation is expected across Michigan, northern Indiana, and upstate New York, with coldest air targeting late December into February 2026.
That means a solid chance for a white Christmas across most of the region, particularly near Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Erie. Blizzard conditions may develop when strong cold fronts cross the lakes, creating dangerous whiteouts and drifting snow on I-94, I-75, and I-90. Major airports in Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago could face periodic flight delays if the storm track verifies.
By March, the pattern may slowly relax, though lake-effect snow could linger well into early spring. Residents are urged to winterize vehicles, protect outdoor plumbing, and prepare for potential power outages during high-wind snow events. NOAA warns that this winter’s setup bears resemblance to some of the snowiest seasons of the past decade.
