How Much Snow Will Fall in the U.S.? La Niña to Bring Extreme Winter Weather in the Northeast

How Much Snow Will Fall in the US According to the La Niña Winter Forecast?

Northeast Braces for Winter Storms

South to See Drier Conditions

The La Niña climate phenomenon has already begun influencing weather patterns in the United States ahead of the start of the meteorological winter, and experts are forecasting heavier snowfall in the northern states and harsh conditions for the Northeast and New England.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this atmospheric pattern will favor colder-than-normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest, as well as a significant increase in precipitation.

Although the forecast does not specify snow accumulation totals, meteorologists warn that conditions are ripe for an intense winter across several northern states, while the southern U.S. will likely remain warmer and drier.

“La Niña typically brings harsher winters for the northern and northeastern U.S., with more frequent storms and prolonged snow events,” explained the FOX Forecast Center.

What Is La Niña and How Does It Affect the Weather?

La Niña winter snow forecast US – Photo: Shutterstock

La Niña is part of a natural cycle known as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which alters ocean temperatures in the Pacific and, consequently, global atmospheric circulation.

While El Niño is associated with warmer and wetter conditions, La Niña corresponds to cooler ocean temperatures and colder, drier weather patterns in certain regions.

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These shifts influence the position and strength of jet streams, which determine the track of winter storms across North America.

In simple terms, La Niña winters often mean more cold and snow in the northern US and less rainfall in the South.

First Snowfalls and Most Affected Areas

Measured snowfall has already been reported in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades, and the Sierra Nevada, as well as in the mountainous regions of the Northeast.

Mount Mitchell, in North Carolina, recorded its first snowfall of the season last week — an early sign of La Niña’s growing influence.

Cities like Boston and New York typically see their first measurable snow toward the end of November, while most of the country experiences the first flakes by December.

The FOX US winter forecast indicates that no major snowstorms are expected in the short term, though meteorologists caution that abrupt changes could occur as December progresses.

What to Expect in the US for the Rest of Winter

The most active winter months across much of the U.S. will continue to be January and February, when snow events typically peak.

The NOAA projects that the country may return to ENSO-neutral conditions by early January — a transition that has historically brought more snow to the Northeast.

This potential oceanic shift could intensify winter storms and lead to greater snow accumulations across the Mid-Atlantic and New England states.

For now, meteorologists agree that the winter of 2025 will be defined by stark contrasts: cold and snow in the North, isolated rain on the East Coast, and a warm, dry South under the lingering effects of La Niña, according to Fox Weather.