Winter weather forecast predicts El Niowill bring US crazy storms, cold beaches and desert rains

It may be the middle of August, but to quote “Game of Thrones,” winter is coming — and this one could be wet and wild.The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its 2026-2027 winter weather predictions, and it warns of colder temperatures in the south, icy days up north, and sudden downpours in the middle of the desert — thanks partly to the El Niño climate pattern, which is back after three years.Here’s how winter could shape up for your region — if the predictions come to fruition.“The Northeast may face one of the season’s most complicated winter patterns,” the Almanac warns.El Niño usually makes a warmer-than-usual winter in the northern states, but it also causes sudden, unpredictable storms.Coastal communities should be ready for rain or mixed rain-and-snow, while inland cities may see more heavy, wet snow, especially in January and February.More frequent storms will likely dump rain on communities from Southern California to Texas.

“These areas should watch for frequent storm systems, muddy fields, and occasional surges of cold air,” the Almanac recommends.The southern Rockies should also gear up for more sleet, freezing rain, and heavy, wet snow as the wetter air meets cooler temperatures.The southern storm track will likely extend through the Gulf Coast, drenching states from Louisiana to Florida.Snowbirds and college football fans should be ready for colder-than-usual temperatures combined with sudden storms.More northerly states like Tennessee and Kentucky should be ready for increased snow and ice.The Almanac predicts “a more changeable and somewhat less dependable snow season” for the Pacific Northwest.

Further inland, northern Midwest states could see a dry winter as more moisture moves southward.“Even so, brief but intense periods of cold, wind, and snow will remain possible,” the Almanac says.What sort of winter the Midwest will have varies between regions, but the region roughly diagonal from Missouri to Montana will l...