Burlington, Vermont – New long-range federal climate guidance indicates February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across Vermont, with the strongest signal focused in northern parts of the state.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), northern Vermont falls within a broad corridor of elevated snowfall probabilities stretching from New England into the Midwest. The outlook suggests a higher likelihood of prolonged or more frequent snow events compared to typical February conditions.
While the guidance does not provide storm-specific forecasts or snowfall totals, CPC outlooks assess departures from long-term averages. For northern Vermont, this means snowfall frequency or cumulative totals could exceed what is normally observed during the month, particularly in higher elevations and areas closer to the Canadian border.
Temperature projections for February 2026 show near-normal conditions across most of Vermont. This thermal setup supports snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation for many systems, especially during overnight and inland events. Forecasters note that normal temperatures combined with increased storm activity often translate into sustained snow cover and repeated plowing needs.
Surrounding regions—including New York, New Hampshire, and Maine—are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, reinforcing confidence in a regional winter pattern rather than isolated weather systems.
For commuters, students, and winter tourism-dependent communities in northern Vermont, the outlook raises the potential for more frequent travel disruptions and extended winter maintenance demands. Officials emphasize that monthly outlooks are refined as February approaches and should be used for planning, not day-to-day decisions.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts and winter outlooks later this year as confidence increases closer to the season.
