Winter 2023-24 Forecast: How Much Snow Will Illinois Get?

ILLINOIS — After several days of dangerous heat, it may be difficult to think about winter, but the Farmers' Almanac has already released its extended 2023-24 winter forecast. According to the forecast, most of the country will see traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather this winter.

Illinois and the Great Lakes could be in for "below-average temperatures and lots of snowstorms, sleet, ice [and] rain," according to the forecast. Cold and stormy weather will continue into January and February, the forecast notes.

The overall forecast calls for a snowier and colder winter ahead with the arrival of El Niño, a climate cycle that results in the unusual warming of equatorial Pacific Ocean waters. El Niño can have a range of effects, from heavy precipitation in some parts of the world and droughts in others, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Farmers’ Almanac said the start of meteorological winter on Dec. 1 — the winter solstice isn’t until Dec. 21 — is expected to usher in a snowy month, with blizzard conditions expected over northern New England and the North Central states, and as far south as New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The Great Plains and Rockies are expected to be cold with occasional storms, while the Pacific Northwest could experience an unusually stormy winter, according to the forecast. Depending on the strength of the El Niño, it could send snowy conditions to California and the entire Southwest, the forecast said.

Unusually cold weather is forecast for Texas in January and February, and the Southeast and Florida could see a wetter-than-normal winter with average temperatures, save a few frosts.