The Old Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting colder and snowier conditions across parts of the East Coast, potentially setting up a promising season for skiers.
August 29, 2026:Skiers on parts of the East Coast could have plenty to look forward to this winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its 2026–27 winter forecast, and its outlook calls for colder and snowier conditions across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachians.
The forecast could be especially encouraging for ski areas in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and southern portions of Vermont and New Hampshire, where the Almanac expects colder and snowier conditions.
Image Credit: wsj.com
East Coast Skiers Could Be in for a Snowy Season
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a band stretching from the Virginias through Pennsylvania and into northern New York is expected to experience a “Cold, Snowy” winter.
The forecast also includes the southern portions of Vermont and New Hampshire, potentially giving ski resorts farther south in the region a favorable setup for winter sports.
The broader Northeast forecast is more complicated, however. The Almanac predicts the southern part of the Northeast will have below-normal temperatures and above-normal snowfall, while northern sections could see milder temperatures and below-normal snowfall.
That means not every East Coast ski destination is expected to have the same kind of winter.
Appalachians Could See Colder, Snowier Conditions
The Appalachians are another region that could benefit from the forecast.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac expects the Appalachians to experience below-normal temperatures and above-normal snowfall, particularly in the northern part of the region. The coldest periods are predicted for mid-January and mid- to late February.
For skiers, those conditions could translate into more opportunities for natural snowfall and sustained winter conditions.
The Almanac also identifies mid-January and early and late February as the snowiest periods in the Appalachians.
Image Credit: wsj.com
New York and Pennsylvania Could See Favorable Ski Conditions
The forecast is particularly encouraging for parts of New York and Pennsylvania.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s regional outlook places much of these areas within the colder and snowier zone. That could make ski resorts in the region an attractive option for winter travelers looking for snowfall without heading as far north as Maine or northern Vermont.
The outlook also comes after two winters that reportedly delivered strong snowfall across parts of northern Vermont, New England and the Mid-Atlantic, giving skiers another reason to watch the upcoming season closely.
Northern New England May Have a Different Winter
While some East Coast regions could be in for a snowy winter, the forecast isn’t equally favorable everywhere.
Northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are expected to have a “Mild, Dry” winter according to the ski-focused breakdown of the Almanac forecast. That could mean less natural snowfall for some of the region’s traditionally popular ski destinations.
For northern New England resorts, that part of the forecast could be disappointing, especially because the region is known for some of the East Coast’s most established ski areas.
Still, the forecast is months away from the actual ski season, and conditions can change significantly as winter approaches.
When Could East Coast Skiers See the Most Snow?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has identified several periods when snowfall could be more likely.
For the southern Northeast, the snowiest periods are expected around mid- and late December, mid-January, and early and late March.
In the Appalachians, the strongest snowfall periods are forecast for mid-January and early and late February.
The Atlantic Corridor has a somewhat different outlook, with slightly below-normal snowfall overall but several potential snow periods, including early and mid-January, early and late February, and late March.
These dates should be viewed as broad seasonal guidance rather than guarantees for individual ski resorts.
El Niño Could Help Shape the Winter
One of the major climate patterns influencing this year’s forecast is El Niño.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says a strong El Niño has returned and is expected to continue through the winter. The warmer-than-normal waters in the equatorial Pacific can influence the jet stream and, in turn, the movement of storms and cold air across North America.
The Almanac says El Niño is only one factor behind its forecast, but the pattern is expected to contribute to milder conditions across much of the country while creating wetter conditions in certain areas and more complicated winter patterns elsewhere.
For the East Coast, that could mean storm systems capable of producing significant snow in some areas while bringing rain or mixed precipitation to others.
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How Reliable Is the Old Farmer’s Almanac Forecast?
As exciting as the forecast may be for skiers, it is important to remember that this is a long-range prediction.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says its forecasts correctly predict the direction of seasonal temperature and precipitation departures about 80% of the time. The publication says its methodology combines solar science, climatology, meteorology, historical weather patterns, current solar activity and broader climate signals.
However, independent meteorologists have cautioned that long-range forecasts made months before winter should not be treated as guarantees. The actual weather pattern can shift considerably as the season gets closer.
That makes the current forecast more of an early indicator than a promise of powder days.
What This Could Mean for Ski Season
If the forecast holds, parts of the East Coast could have a strong winter for skiing and snowboarding.
The most promising areas appear to be across the southern and central portions of the Northeast, the Appalachians and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, skiers targeting northern Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine may need to keep an eye on updated forecasts because those areas currently have a milder and drier outlook.
For now, the message from the Almanac is encouraging for some East Coast resorts: colder temperatures and above-normal snowfall could create plenty of opportunities for winter recreation.
But with winter still months away, the forecast will undoubtedly evolve.
HOLR has the latest news on the 2026–27 winter forecast as skiers and winter travelers begin planning the season ahead.
FAQs
What is the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting for winter 2026–27?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a mostly mild winter across the United States, but with colder and snowier conditions in several areas. Parts of the Northeast, Appalachians, West and Alaska are expected to see above-normal snowfall.
Will the East Coast have a snowy winter in 2026–27?
Parts of the East Coast could have a snowier-than-normal winter. The southern Northeast and Appalachians are expected to have above-normal snowfall, while northern parts of the Northeast may see below-normal snowfall.
Which East Coast states could have good ski conditions this winter?
The forecast is particularly favorable for parts of New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and southern Vermont and New Hampshire.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
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