In the U.S., prepare to shiver with below-normal winter temperatures from the Heartland westward to the Pacific and in the Desert Southwest, Pacific Southwest and Hawaii but above normal winter temperatures elsewhere.
The cold will continue through Valentine’s Day—providing the perfect excuse to stay indoors and snuggle. But be warned: winter will not be over yet.
For some parts of the country, frigid and frosty conditions will last well into spring, bringing little relief to the winter-weary. “This could feel like the never-ending winter, particularly in the Midwest and east to the Ohio Valley and Appalachians, where wintery weather will last well into March and even through the first days of spring,” says Almanac editor Janice Stillman.
As winter melts into spring, temperatures will warm up in Alaska and the eastern two-thirds of the Lower 48. A searing summer will bring “scorching” temperatures to the High Plains; “sizzle and drizzle” from the middle of the country eastward to the coast; and “wicked hot” weather to the Northeast.
In Canada, temperatures will average above normal everywhere except southern British Columbia which will bear the brunt of winter’s chill, with colder-than-average temperatures that include occasional face-freezing frigidity in January and February. Of course, normal-or-better winter temperatures still means cold. It’s winter, after all.
Will It Snow In Winter 2019–2020?
In the U.S., this winter will be remembered for strong storms bringing a steady roofbeat of heavy rain and sleet, not to mention piles of snow. The 2020 Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for frequent snow events—from flurries to no fewer than seven big snowstorms from coast to coast, including two in April for the Intermountain region west of the Rockies.
This snow-verload will include storms pummeling Washington state and points eastward across the northern-tier states into Michigan. For the normally rain-soaked Northwest, this could mean a repeat of last winter’s record-breaking extremes, including the Snowpocalypse that dumped 20.2 inches on Seattle in February.
The middle of the country and New England can bank on a slush fund, as “more wet than white” conditions will leave sludgy messes that freeze during the overnights. Meanwhile, much of the Deep South will be saturated by soakers. As winter rages, the tip of the nice-berg will be Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Texas, which will bask in pleasant weather.
In Canada, expect a season full of snow, snow, and more snow. And more snow. Nearly all of Canada should expect above-average precipitation this winter, much of it falling as snow. No fewer than eight major snowstorms are predicted, including a series of significant snow events from mid- to late January in Atlantic Canada and southern Ontario.
While parts of Quebec, the southern portions of Alberta and British Columbia will be spared the worst of the winter snows, they won’t be entirely off the hook: These areas should expect rain, freezing rain and sleet throughout the season.
In some parts of the country, the snows will stretch into spring. Southern Quebec should prepare for snow showers into mid-March, while the Prairies won’t experience winter’s last hurrah until early April.
See the forecasts for fall, winter, spring, and summer in the 2020 edition!
Look inside! Take a peek at the pages of the 2020 edition!