Boston, MA — As of Saturday, December 20, forecasters are closely monitoring a developing late-December weather pattern that will bring near-record warmth to much of the United States as 2026 begins. While large portions of the Plains, Midwest, South, and West are expected to experience unseasonably warm to potentially record-setting temperatures, New England is likely to remain closer to seasonal norms.
From December 27 through January 2, the Climate Prediction Center indicates a dominant ridge of high pressure building across the central and western U.S., driving temperatures well above average for millions. Cities across the Rockies, Plains, and Southwest may see winter warmth more typical of early spring, with daily highs running 10 to 25 degrees above normal in some locations.
In contrast, Massachusetts and the broader New England region, including Boston, Providence, Hartford, and Portland, are forecast to see near-normal temperatures during this period. In Boston, daytime highs are expected to remain largely in the mid-40s, which is typical for late December, with overnight lows hovering near freezing. While that may feel mild compared to true Arctic cold, it stands out as restrained compared to the rest of the nation’s warmth.
This regional difference helps highlight the unusual scope of the national heat pattern, with New England acting as a relative “neutral zone” between warmth to the south and west and occasional cooler air brushing eastern Canada.
Looking ahead to January 3–16, 2026, long-range outlooks suggest New England may continue to see near-normal or slightly above-normal temperatures, while much of the central and western U.S. remains locked in a warmer-than-average regime. That could delay widespread winter cold across the East even as the calendar turns deeper into January.
While New England avoids extremes for now, meteorologists note that such a widespread winter warmth signal across the country is notable — and worth watching as 2026 gets underway.
