The 2024–25 North American winter is the future winter season in North America as it will occur across the continent from December 21, 2024 to March 20, 2025. The season begins at the winter solstice which will occur on December 21, 2024, and it will end at the spring equinox which will occur on March 20, 2025.[1] A weak La Niña or cool-neutral conditions is expected to influence the weather patterns across the continent this winter. The most notable event of the season so far has been a powerful bomb cyclone that impacted the West Coast of the United States in mid-to-late November.
| 2024–25 North American winter | |
|---|---|
 Seasonal snowfall in the contiguous United States | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| Meteorological winter | December 1 – February 28 |
| Astronomical winter | December 21 – March 20 |
| First event started | November 7, 2024 |
| Last event concluded | Season ongoing |
| Most notable event | |
| Name | November 2024 Northeast Pacific bomb cyclone |
| • Duration | November 18–20, 2024 |
| • Lowest pressure | 942 mb (27.82 inHg) |
| • Fatalities | 2 |
| • Damage | Unknown |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms (RSI) (Cat. 1+) | 0 total |
| Maximum snowfall accumulation | 40.7 in (103 cm) in Fort Garland, Colorado (November 7–9, 2024) |
| Total fatalities | 2 total |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
| Asian winter, European windstorm season | |
Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter will start on December 1 and the last day will be February 28.[2] However, winter storms may and have already occurred outside of these limits.
Seasonal forecasts
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The Farmers' Almanac predicted that the winter would be wet and cold with several winter storms.[3]
In August and September of 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that a La Niña would develop in the fall and persist through the winter months. They predicted that the winter would have below normal temperatures overall, with above normal temperatures in the Southeastern United States and northwestern Alaska.[4]
Seasonal summary
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Events
editEarly November blizzard
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A historic[5] blizzard, unofficially named Winter Storm Anya by The Weather Channel, affected the Southern Rocky Mountains and adjacent High Plains starting on November 6, producing blizzard conditions across a large portion of the region.[6] At least 40.7 inches (103 cm) of snow fell in Colorado, at least 27.31 inches (69.4 cm) in New Mexico, 6 inches (15 cm) in Nebraska, 4 inches (10 cm) in Oklahoma, and 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) in Kansas.[7][8][6] In the early hours of November 7, the Weather Prediction Center, noted a large area of "extreme and widespread disruptions" was expected in parts of Colorado and New Mexico.[9] Over 52,000 customers lost power in New Mexico during the storms.[10]
Mid-November West Coast bomb cyclone
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A very strong bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest on November 19, resulting in the death of two people and 953,000 without electric power. In Vancouver Island, gusts up to 102 mph (164 km/h) were reported. Interstate 5 was closed due to heavy snow near the Oregon and California border. In California, some areas received up to ≥20 inches (508 millimeters) of rain.[11][12][13]
Late November winter storm
editA significant winter storm affected the Northeastern United States from November 20-23, which resulted in a maximum of 25 in (64 cm) of rain in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.[14] In Chicago, nearly 3 in (7.6 cm) of snow fell, which was the heaviest November snow in the city in five years.[15] At High Point State Park, 20 in (51 cm) of snow fell, and many schools either delayed or cancelled classes across northwestern New Jersey on November 22 due to snowfall.[16] Greater Binghamton Airport temporarily closed due to the snow.[17] In areas that remained too warm for snow, the rain was beneficial for alleviating the wildfire risk, however, the rain was not enough to end the severe drought conditions in the Northeast.[18] Over 125,000 customers in the Northeast lost power.[19]
Post-Thanksgiving Great Lakes snowstorm
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
Lake effect snow is currently impacting portions of northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. Storm totals of 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) are expected in Ashtabula and Lake counties in Ohio and 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) in Northern Erie and Southern Erie counties.[20]
Season effects
edit| Event name |
Dates active | RSI category | RSI value | Highest gust mph (km/h) |
Minimum pressure (mbar) |
Maximum snow in (cm) |
Maximum ice in (mm) |
Areas affected | Damage (2025 USD) |
Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 0 RSI storms | TBD – TBD | TBD | 0 | 0 | ≥ $0 | 0 | ||||
See also
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References
edit- ^ "Earth's Seasons" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons". Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ Staff, Farmers' Almanac. "Farmers' Almanac Winter 2025 Extended Weather Forecast". Farmers' Almanac - Plan Your Day. Grow Your Life. Archived from the original on 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ Winter Outlook 2024-25: Early September Update (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2024-09-02. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-09-02.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Weather Prediction Center (8 November 2024). "Historic snowfall and extreme impacts continue across the Southern Rockies and adjacent High Plains tonight associated with the ongoing winter storm". 𝕏 (Formerly Twitter). National Weather Service. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b Dolce, Chris (7 November 2024). "Winter Storm Prompts Blizzard Warning As It Hammers New Mexico And Colorado With Heavy Snow, Strong Winds". The Weather Channel. Atlanta, Georgia: Allen Media Group. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Wilder, Hayden (7 November 2024). "Storm Summary Number 2 for Central-Southern Rockies Heavy Snow". Weather Prediction Center (press release). College Park, Maryland: National Weather Service. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "CONUS Precipitation* Summary for 24-hours Ending 12 UTC, Thursday, 2024-11-07". Weather Prediction Center. College Park, Maryland: National Weather Service. 7 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "A significant winter storm will bring heavy snow, reaching multiple feet in some areas, to portions of the Southern Rockies through Friday. Travel will become extremely difficult in many areas". 𝕏. Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Santa Fe, region buried in snow as early winter blast bears down, Santa Fe New Mexican, November 9, 2024
- ^ "2 killed, more than 600,000 without power in Western Washington amid pacific bomb cyclone winds". Seattle: KUOW-FM. November 20, 2024.
- ^ Edwards, Anthony (November 20, 2024). "Interstate 5 closed near California-Oregon border as huge storm dumps multiple feet of snow". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Highways closed, thousands without power as 'bomb cyclone' hits B.C. coast". CBC News. November 19, 2024. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Early season snow storm dumps 61 cm (2 feet) of snow in northeastern U.S., Watchers, November 24, 2024
- ^ Snow is coming to the Northeast, but don’t fall for the hype, CNN, November 22, 2024
- ^ N.J. snow totals hit 20 inches. See latest town-by-town snowfall numbers., NJ.com, November 23, 2024
- ^ The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Potent winter storm in Northeast disrupts Thanksgiving travel, Fox Weather, November 22, 2024
- ^ Amid a drought warning, it rained in NYC for the 1st time in weeks. But it's not enough., CBS News, November 21, 2024
- ^ Northeast blasted by snow, beneficial rain as major airport hubs face travel delays, Fox Weather, November 23, 2024
- ^ "NWS CLE Lake Effect Snow Warnings". National Weather Service. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
