NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern U.S.
NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern U.S.
US · Published Sep 18, 2026
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has released its winter outlook for December 2026 through February 2027, highlighting a wetter-than-average season for the southern United States.
The forecast, issued on September 17, 2026, indicates above-normal precipitation for regions including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of the southern Rockies.

Impact & Risks

The wetter conditions in the southern U.S. could benefit ski resorts in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Colorado, as these areas are positioned along the active southern storm track. However, warmer-than-average temperatures in the northern U.S. may raise snow levels, potentially reducing snowfall in lower-elevation ski areas. Northern Rockies and Great Lakes regions face a drier outlook, which could impact water resources and winter recreation. Skiers in the northern regions may need to rely on higher elevations for consistent snowpack.

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