Cold, Snowy Winter Ahead For NH, Extended Forecast Says

NEW HAMPSHIRE — It’s hard to think about winter with New Hampshire facing heat advisories just a matter of days ago. But a look ahead from the Farmers’ Almanac in its extended 2023-24 winter forecast suggests not only that “the BRRR is back,” but also that snow shovels will see plenty of action.

In December, New Hampshire could be in for blizzard conditions blowing snow into areas over northern New England, the North Central States, and northern and central areas of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, according to the forecast.

If the forecast holds true, the second week of January could be one to plan around, with stormy, snowy, and wet conditions predicted for both the Pacific Coast and the Eastern States. Also, an East Coast storm affecting the Northeast and New England states will bring snowfall, cold rain and then frigid temperatures during the second week of February.

In general, below-average temperatures and lots of snowstorms, sleet, ice, and rain are predicted for much of the Great Lakes and Midwest areas of the country, as well as central and northern New England, especially in January and February.

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.