PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – A newly released NOAA outlook hints at a potentially stormy and colder winter ahead for the Mid-Atlantic, with above-normal precipitation forecast across much of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey. The agency’s Winter 2025–2026 climate guidance, issued Thursday, Oct. 16, suggests renewed chances for a white Christmas after several mild holiday seasons.
According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, La Niña conditions are expected to shape the season, favoring wetter-than-normal patterns for the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. NOAA maps highlight above-average precipitation from December through February, particularly across central Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, and the D.C. metro corridor. With equal to slightly below-normal temperatures projected, forecasters say that setup could turn moisture into frequent snow and ice events — especially around the holidays.
NOAA’s data points to several windows for significant snowfall, most likely in late December and again in February 2026. “We’re looking at an active jet stream pattern that may favor nor’easters tracking near the coast,” forecasters noted. That could mean heavier snow for interior areas like Harrisburg and Allentown, with rain-snow mixes more likely closer to Washington and Richmond.
By late winter, cold air is forecast to linger, keeping travel risks elevated through early March. Motorists on I-95, I-81, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike could face slick commutes during major systems. Airports in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. may see holiday travel disruptions if the snowier trend verifies. As La Niña typically fades by spring, the region may not fully thaw until April, extending winter’s hold well past the first daffodils.
