HARTFORD, Conn. – NOAA’s newest seasonal guidance, released Thursday, Oct. 16, suggests Connecticut will see a colder, stormier winter carrying deep into early 2026. The agency’s long-range data highlights near- to below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation through March — a pattern strongly tied to La Niña’s continued influence across the Northeast.
According to the National Weather Service in Norton, Mass., the state’s post-Christmas weather window looks particularly active. “The setup favors multiple snow and ice events between January and late February,” forecasters said. “Even southern counties could see accumulating snow when cold air times right with coastal storms.”
Interior cities such as Hartford, Torrington, and Middletown are expected to see the heaviest totals, with several six-inch snowfalls possible through February. Along the shoreline — including New Haven and Bridgeport — mixed precipitation and slushy accumulations may be more common, though quick freezes could still cause dangerous morning travel on I-91, I-84, and the Merritt Parkway.
Emergency management officials urge residents to stock winter supplies, service heating systems, and keep vehicles storm-ready as patterns favor back-to-back systems. NOAA also warns that lingering cold may delay the thaw into March, extending snow cover and freezing conditions well past normal.
For Connecticut, Winter 2026 looks colder and snowier than recent years — a steady, old-fashioned New England winter where preparation and patience will matter most.
