The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center has just issued new seasonal outlook maps for precipitation and temperature in the coming months. Two of those maps for this winter indicate conditions in several U.S. states that could result in them facing heavy snow.
Which U.S. States Could See Heavy Snow This Winter?
The full national NOAA seasonal precipitation outlook map and legend.Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NOAA.gov
On September 17, 2026, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center issued precipitation and temperature seasonal outlook maps covering January through March 2027. Neither of the maps specifically focuses on snowfall. However, based on their probabilistic findings, there are parts of several American states that could be struck by heavier-than-usual snow this winter.
According to the seasonal precipitation outlook map, all of the areas that are covered in green have a 33% to 80% chance of dealing with above-average rain or snow in early 2027. Parts of California, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida have the highest probability of facing increased precipitation this winter. However, the list of states that are partially or entirely green on the map is much longer than that.
The list of green or partially green states includes California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Parts of Oregon, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. are also green.
The full national NOAA seasonal temperature outlook map and legend.Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NOAA.gov
NOAA’s seasonal temperature outlook map indicates that, based on the early findings, most of the country has a 33% to 80% chance of dealing with above-average temperatures. However, parts of or all of several states are favored for near-normal temperatures or have equal chances of above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures.
According to the two maps, parts of or all of several states that aren’t currently predicted to face above-average temperatures could also deal with above-average precipitation. That list consists of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Some of those states would only be likely to face heavy snow in their region if temperatures dropped below average, which isn’t currently predicted.
Based on how likely they typically are to face snow and what the NOAA maps say about them, there are still some U.S. states that could face heavy snow in some areas. NOAA’s findings make it likely that parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico could all face heavier snow than usual from January to March 2027. It is the high-elevation areas of those regions that would be most likely to face above-average snow conditions.
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This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Sep 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.