Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for California is in. What will 2025-26 season bring?

Date:2025-08-14 05:16:43 Category:US Views:3 Comment:0

Farmers’ Almanac predicts a mild California winter with average rainfall in its 209th edition, out now.

Southwest states (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah) are forecast to have average temperatures and wet conditions, weather that could help prevent a repeat of the January wildfires in California, Farmers' Almanac Editor Sandi Duncan told USA TODAY.

California is expected to get rain ahead of windy conditions at the end of January. "Hopefully, it will be enough moisture in the air in California that we don't see anything crazy like it was last year," Duncan said.

Overall, the region should have a "nice winter with not too many extremes," she said.

What does NOAA predict for winter in California?

The Climate Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the temperature outlook in Southern California for the winter months of January, February, and March is leaning toward above-normal temperatures for the region. There are equal chances for temperatures below or above normal in Northern California, to the Monterey Bay region.

There is also a 33% to 50% probability that precipitation levels will remain below normal for most of the state, except for Northern California, which has equal chances for rainfall to be below or above normal for the same three-month period in 2026, according to NOAA.

The season officially begins with the winter solstice on Dec. 21, 2025, but the cold and snow might make an appearance as early as September in some areas of the country.

What does the Farmers' Almanac forecast for winter in the US?

The cold and snow may not reach as far south as last year, but the Northern Plains to New England are likely in for a cold, snowy winter, "hopefully not as brutally cold as last," Duncan said.

"Most of the country is on tap for a cold or very cold winter, kind of almost going back to an old-fashioned winter," Duncan said. "It's going to cool down, it's going to snow, then it might warm up a little, then it's going to repeat itself again."

Even though the upcoming winter may not bring a repeat of last year's prolonged bone-chilling temperatures, the upcoming season's expected weather cycle means "this winter’s shaping up to be a wild ride," the Almanac predicts.

Wintery effects may begin in late fall as cold winter temperatures could "sneak in a little bit early in many of the northern sections," Duncan said.

While winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 21, "we do see some very cold conditions, kind of blowing in with some possible snow in some areas," she said. "I think the greatest chance of a White Christmas would be out in the northern Plains, perhaps, but not too many other places."

Winter could linger, too. "It looks like it's going to hang on for a little bit through March and even through April … especially in New England, Great Lakes and the northern Plains," Duncan said.

When does fall start in 2025?

Fall starts on Sept. 22, 2025, according to Time and Date.

When does daylight saving time end in 2025?

Daylight saving time ends in California at 2 a.m. PT on Nov. 2, 2025, according to Time and Date. This is when clocks will turn back one hour, to 1 a.m.