Albany, New York – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across large portions of New York, particularly northern, northeastern, central, and western regions of the state.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), much of upstate New York is included in a broad zone of elevated snowfall probabilities extending from New England into the Midwest. The outlook points to an increased likelihood of prolonged or more frequent snow activity compared to typical February conditions.
Northern and northeastern New York, including areas near the Adirondacks and along the Canadian border, show some of the strongest signals for above-normal snowfall. Central and western parts of the state, including lake-effect–prone regions east and southeast of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, are also favored for increased snow potential during the month.
CPC outlooks do not provide specific snowfall totals or storm timing. Instead, they indicate how February 2026 may compare to long-term averages. For New York, the guidance suggests cumulative snowfall or the number of snow events could exceed normal levels, particularly during persistent storm tracks.
Temperature outlooks for February 2026 show near-normal conditions across most of New York. This setup supports snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation during many systems, especially inland and overnight events. Forecasters note that normal temperatures combined with frequent storm activity often enhance the risk of sustained snow cover and repeated travel impacts.
Neighboring states including Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, reinforcing confidence in a regional winter pattern rather than isolated events.
Commuters, students, and winter travelers across upstate New York are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, as confidence and detail increase closer to the season.
