How Much Snow Will We See This Winter In CT? See 4 Predictions

CONNECTICUT — How cold and snowy will the upcoming winter be in Connecticut?

While winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 21, meteorological winter started Dec. 1.

Several forecasters have put forward their predictions for how snowy the season will be here in the Nutmeg State. And while it's useful to have a choice of appetizers or weapons, we're not so sure the same can be said of competing weather forecasts.

Be that as it may, here's a look at what they're saying:

AccuWeather

An AccuWeather 2024-25 winter forecast predicts that most areas in the Northeast will receive more snow this season than last winter.

In Connecticut, it all begins this month, with a colder and snowier December than we've grown used to. That will be followed by a new weather pattern in the opening weeks of 2025 that will promote milder air and less snow across the eastern half of the nation.

“La Niña will be weak for most of the winter,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist and long-range expert Paul Pastelok said. “A weaker La Niña can allow other signals to drive the pattern, more variability throughout the winter.”

February is the most probable month for the arrival of a polar vortex — a large area of cold, low-pressure air rotating counterclockwise around Earth’s poles that can expand in the winter and send cold air southward. However, there’s less certainty this year about when, or if, the extreme cold air will make it to the continental U.S.

The Farmers' Almanac

The 208th edition of the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a "Wet Winter Whirlwind" for the 2024-2025 winter season. Its forecast calls for rapid-fire storms that will bring both rain and snow, with little downtime in between.

"We anticipate the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations," The Farmers' Almanac predicts.

Interior and mountainous terrains are expected to see snow, while sleet and rain are more likely in coastal areas, especially along the Interstate 95 corridor.

The Farmers' Almanac says it is "red flagging" the final full week of January over most of the nation's eastern half. Expect a very active storm track with frequent bouts of heavy precipitation along with strong gusty winds.

Above-average precipitation is expected for the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and the Midwest, according to the forecast.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

The Old Farmer's opinion is a little less dire. That almanac's prognostications agree with the Old Farmers regarding the warmer temperatures, but don't fret over the amount of precipitation.

"This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States," said Carol Connare, the Old Almanac’s editor-in-chief. "While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard."

The Old Farmer's Almanac places Connecticut across two regions: The Northeast claims a small sliver in the northwestern corner of the state, while the remainder is classified as part of the Atlantic Corridor. Winter temperatures are expected be above average in the first, and average to slightly above in the rest of the state. Precipitation and snowfall in the both regions are expected to be below normal.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected this winter in Connecticut, according to NOAA's winter 2024-25 outlook for December, January and February.

The outlook puts the chance of above normal temperatures at between 50 percent and 60 percent in the state. There's a small sliver of the northwestern most part of Connecticut that stands to take in a slightly higher-than-normal rainfall.

Earlier this year, NOAA said data supports the development of a weak La Niña that lacks some of the blustery punch traditionally seen in such climate patterns. However, a La Niña “could still influence forecast guidance,” NOAA said.

Throughout most of the Northeast and New England, temperatures are expected to be above normal up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Precipitation is expected to be above normal in much of the region.