Farmers’ Almanac 2025 Winter Weather Forecast / Prediction

[christopher]

Wet Winter Whirlwind​

The astronomical start of winter begins with the winter solstice on Saturday, December 21, 2024. This winter, La Niña, which refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to develop and hang on through the season. Taking into account the effect La Niña has on the weather, along with our long-standing formula, we anticipate the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations.



According to the extended weather forecast / prediction / outlook from Famers Almanac, the winter of 2024-25 is shaping up to be a season of rapid-fire storms, with La Niña playing a key role in the colder and wetter conditions. The season will officially kick off with the winter solstice on December 21, 2024, and will likely bring a mix of rain, snow, and frigid temperatures.

Expect the coldest weather to hit from the Northern Plains to the Great Lakes, with particularly harsh conditions in late January and early February. Meanwhile, New England and the Northeast are in for a stormy winter with significant snowfall, especially inland. In contrast, the Southern Plains and Southeast should see milder temperatures, while the Pacific Northwest faces a chilly, wet season.

 

[christopher]

Bump

 

[Rob.G]

I'm gonna be brutally honest. After last year, I don't believe ANY of this. The almanac's prediction for last year was completely wrong. Every forecast from the late 2023 into early 2024 was completely wrong. They kept promising snow that never came. So my faith in any kind of long-term forecasting is nonexistent. I won't even believe short-term forecasts until several of them come true.

 

[christopher]

I'm gonna be brutally honest. After last year, I don't believe ANY of this. The almanac's prediction for last year was completely wrong. Every forecast from the late 2023 into early 2024 was completely wrong. They kept promising snow that never came. So my faith in any kind of long-term forecasting is nonexistent. I won't even believe short-term forecasts until several of them come true.

So of ALL possible forecasts the Almanac is the VERY LAST one I would go to in hope of a SOLID forecast.
That said.
MOST of the reputable long range forecasts that I do trust all agree that we are in for at least a NORMAL WINTER, with several now suggesting that our total snowfall will be in the +10-+20% above normal.

I am actually feeling pretty optimistic about this coming season.
But then again, Last year was NOT HORRIBLE for me here in SE Idaho.
I had MANY HIGHLY MEMORABLE days of riding last year.!

But I also realize that I am VERY FORTUNATE in that when there is fresh snow, I can PACK UP AND RIDE immediately and not miss that limited window of opportunity!

 

[Rob.G]

We had so little snow here last year.. and my first ride wasn't even until January sometime. I think I went out six times. I had one "minor" powder day. When the storms did finally come, they ONLY came ON the actual weekends, so only those who can ride midweek got good rides.

This was my first time riding in 15 years, so it was a massive letdown. If it starts that way again this year, I may just sell the sleds and walk away.

 

[christopher]

We had so little snow here last year.. and my first ride wasn't even until January sometime. I think I went out six times. I had one "minor" powder day. When the storms did finally come, they ONLY came ON the actual weekends, so only those who can ride midweek got good rides.

This was my first time riding in 15 years, so it was a massive letdown. If it starts that way again this year, I may just sell the sleds and walk away.

Home for you is Northern California??

 

[Rob.G]

Reno. I wouldn't call it home... I am not a NV resident and never will be. I actually hate Reno with a passion. I am here visiting friends and family, and since I lived here 20 years ago and this is where I started riding, it's nice to ride the old locations that I grew to know and love. I would rather be in Utah or Idaho or Montana. I live in an RV fulltime so I can go wherever I need to be.. I work remote.

Upside of Reno is that it doesn't get nearly as cold or snowy as it does in other areas, and it can be difficult to heat an RV in the winter, even a tiny one like my truck camper.

 

[christopher]

Reno. I wouldn't call it home... I am not a NV resident and never will be. I actually hate Reno with a passion. I am here visiting friends and family, and since I lived here 20 years ago and this is where I started riding, it's nice to ride the old locations that I grew to know and love. I would rather be in Utah or Idaho or Montana. I live in an RV fulltime so I can go wherever I need to be.. I work remote.

Upside of Reno is that it doesn't get nearly as cold or snowy as it does in other areas, and it can be difficult to heat an RV in the winter, even a tiny one like my truck camper.

I thought the greater Tahoe Region had an OK Winter last season?

 

[Rob.G]

In my opinion it sucked based on all of my previous seasons. We didn't have rideable snow until January when we usually do by Thanksgiving, or worst case mid-December. A couple of years we had very rideable snow in October. Once the storms finally came they were halfway decent, but it took forever for them to arrive.

 

[christopher]

In my opinion it sucked based on all of my previous seasons. We didn't have rideable snow until January when we usually do by Thanksgiving, or worst case mid-December. A couple of years we had very rideable snow in October. Once the storms finally came they were halfway decent, but it took forever for them to arrive.

Do I recall that Mammoth was obliterated by unending snow?

 

[Rob.G]

I don't remember hearing that. Now, I know there was a big blizzard that hit the Sierras (and that was near the end of the season), but that was ONE storm. And it wasn't as strong as they had predicted. AND... fwiw, Mammoth is three hours away in GOOD weather.

We looked into doing a trip up to Alpine, WY or even into Utah, but after reviewing storm reports and talking to people here, we concluded that they too didn't have enough snow to make it worth the trip. This was at the end of 2023.

It's worth mentioning that the snow in the Sierras turns to concrete within 24 hours of falling... unless it's a big multi-day storm... then within 24 hours of it ceasing. On the ONE powder ride I had, we actually could feel the snow setting up during the day's ride, and we were even riding partly in a storm. So one big storm that dumps ten feet is great for water and drought-fighting but it doesn't do us much good in terms of riding. We need a decent storm every week or two to keep things fresh. I have zero interest in riding on concrete; I'll go to the dunes instead.

 

[christopher]

We looked into doing a trip up to Alpine, WY or even into Utah, but after reviewing storm reports and talking to people here, we concluded that they too didn't have enough snow to make it worth the trip. This was at the end of 2023.

December was very much touch and go.
But from January on we had pretty good snow the rest of the season.
You just had to hunt a bit and JUMP ON IT when it blew in.