2025 Winter Forecast: How Snowy And Cold Will It Be In VA?

VIRGINIA — Mild temperatures mixed with snowy conditions are expected this winter in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., while much of the United States should also see moderate temps, according to a new 2025 winter forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

The publication released its seasonal outlook Aug. 28 and calls for the coming season to be "a calmer, gentler winter."

Skiers, snowboarders and other winter outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to play if they head to the Pacific Northwest, as well as parts of the Midwest stretching through the Ohio River valley into the Mid-Atlantic states, according to the forecast.

“This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States,” said Carol Connare, the 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. We’re predicting a temperate, uneventful winter — potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years.”

Virginia is split between the coastal Atlantic Corridor in Region 7, while central and western counties are in Region 3 with the Appalachian area, which should also see a more temperate winter than usual.

The Atlantic Corridor is defined by the almanac as the section of the East Coast covering portions of seven states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and suburban Northern Virginia, as well as major cities from Boston to Washington, D.C., and Richmond.

This region should look for average to slightly above average daily highs during winter (though 2% colder than average during February). The region will also experience shots of cold in mid-December, early and late January, and late February, the publication said.

Precipitation in the DC suburbs and coastal Virginia will be slightly below normal this winter. In this region, snowfall will be below normal in the north and above normal in the south. The most snow is expected to arrive in late December and late February.

Region 7 stretches south from Frederick, Maryland, to Roanoke and on to Asheville, North Carolina. In that swath of the Commonwealth, winter temperatures will be slightly warmer than normal, and below-normal precipitation is expected. The coldest periods will occur from mid-January into early February and in late February.

Precipitation will be below normal across Region 7. However, look for average snowfall in the north and above-normal snowfall in the southern Appalachians. The snowiest periods will occur in late December, late February, and early March.

There will be exceptions to the mild seasonal outlook, the almanac said. Winter rainstorms will leave Florida, the Deep South, and southern California soaked. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall is expected in central and southern Appalachia, the western Ohio Valley, and the Rockies — good news for skiers and sledders.