MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – NOAA’s newly released Winter 2025–2026 outlook, issued Thursday, Oct. 16, signals a harsh and snow-packed season ahead for the Upper Midwest — where Arctic cold and blizzard conditions could become common themes from December through February. The Climate Prediction Center’s data highlights above-normal precipitation and strongly below-normal temperatures for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas, suggesting an old-fashioned winter may be on the way.
According to NOAA meteorologists, La Niña will likely steer the polar jet stream directly over the region, channeling moisture and frigid air south from Canada. “This is the kind of pattern that brings repeated snowstorms and dangerous cold,” forecasters said. NOAA maps show the strongest signal for above-average snowfall from the Red River Valley through northern Wisconsin, with subzero stretches expected multiple times this winter.
By late December, odds of a white Christmas appear very high — particularly from Fargo to Duluth and across northern Minnesota. Frequent snow bursts and drifting could make travel difficult on I-94, I-35, and U.S. 2, especially when paired with wind chills dropping below -20°F. January and February 2026 are projected to deliver the coldest air, with heavy snow possible during each Arctic front’s passage.
The pattern may ease slightly by March, though forecasters warn late-season blizzards could persist into early spring. Residents are urged to winterize homes and vehicles, prepare emergency kits, and limit outdoor exposure during extreme cold snaps. Utility crews across the region are also reviewing contingency plans for potential ice and power-line impacts.
