BOSTON, Mass. – NOAA’s newly released Winter 2025–2026 outlook, issued Thursday, Oct. 16, points to a colder, snowier pattern taking shape across much of New England — and possibly a white Christmas from Connecticut to Maine. The seasonal guidance suggests above-normal precipitation and near- to below-normal temperatures for northern states, boosting odds of classic winter weather for holiday travelers.
According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, the upcoming winter could feature repeated snow-producing systems fueled by a strengthening La Niña. These conditions typically bring wetter, stormier weather to the Northeast while keeping the southern tier drier and warmer. NOAA maps show New England firmly in the “above-normal precipitation” zone for December through February, with probabilities highest across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Forecasters say this means snowfall potential remains strong through late January, with blizzard-like bursts possible if Arctic air aligns with coastal storm tracks. Equal chances farther south toward Connecticut and Rhode Island suggest variability — some weeks mild, others snowy. Still, chances for a snowy Christmas Eve in Boston or Portland are better than in recent mild winters.
By February and March 2026, colder air could deepen as the pattern matures, extending snow chances into early spring. Interstate travel along I-90, I-91, and I-95 may see frequent winter impacts, from slick commutes to potential flight delays at Logan and Bradley airports. NOAA cautions that even as spring nears, late-season nor’easters could prolong winter’s grip before any true thaw arrives in April.
