Meteorologist Predicts Above-Average Snow for Many US States This Winter

Matthew ThomasSun, September 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

1

As reports about a potentially record-breaking super El Niño continue to grow more common, many Americans want to know how much snow to expect during the coming months. Now, a prominent meteorologist has published a map that points to dozens of states where it might “snow a lot this winter.”

Dozens of States Could See More Snow This Winter

Ben Noll is a meteorologist who covers “weather, climate, and meteorological data visualization” for the Washington Post. According to his bio on that outlet’s website, he earned his BS in meteorology from The State University of New York at Oswego. On September 13, 2026, Noll shared an international weather map on X that teases where more snow than usual could arrive between December 2026 and February 2027. He also noted that due to El Niño conditions, it may be easier to predict this winter’s conditions than it typically is.

“Where might it snow a lot this winter? Here’s an estimate of the general patterns! Snowfall is challenging to forecast on a seasonal scale, but, because of El Niño this year, there will probably be a little more predictability than normal.”

Advertisement

Of course, the term a lot of snow is relative. After all, the residents of one region of the country are accustomed to extremely different levels of winter precipitation than residents of other regions. With that in mind, it is important to note that the map that Noll shared featured a legend that detailed that areas in blue are predicted to see above-average snow. Alternatively, brown signifies that below-average levels are currently predicted in those areas. While Noll posted an international map, a closer look showed that many states were partially or fully covered by blue, meaning they should brace for above-average snow.

Which U.S. States Were Partially or Fully Covered in Blue, Signifying They Should Prepare for Above-Average Snow This Winter? -

Parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Alaska

All of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Next: Winter Storm Travel Kit Safety Experts Share the Must-Have Items Drivers Often Forget

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Breaking”