2024–25 North American winter

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 winterDecember 1 – February 28
Astronomical winterDecember 21 – March 20
First event startedNovember 7, 2024
Last event concludedSeason ongoing
Most notable event
NameNovember 2024 Northeast Pacific bomb cyclone
 • DurationNovember 18–20, 2024
 • Lowest pressure942 mb (27.82 inHg)
 • Fatalities2
 • DamageUnknown
Seasonal statistics
Total storms (RSI)
(Cat. 1+)
0 total
Maximum snowfall accumulation40.7 in (103 cm) in Fort Garland, Colorado (November 7–9, 2024)
Total fatalities2 total
Total damageUnknown
Related articles
Asian winter, European windstorm season
North American winters

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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Temperature outlook
Precipitation outlook

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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Regional Snowfall Index

Events

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Early November blizzard

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The blizzard on November 9 over the Rocky Mountians. Tropical Storm Rafael is also visible in the Gulf of Mexico which it interacted with

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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Satellite image of the November 2024 Northeast Pacific bomb cyclone, as seen on 19 November 2024.

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

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A 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

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Lake effect snow impacted portions of northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. Storm totals of 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) were 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] In preparation of the storm, Interstate 90 shut down over 80 mi (130 km) of highway. Snow also resulted in portions of Interstate 94 and Pennsylvania State Route 5 closing.[21] Snowfall totals reached 65.5 in (166 cm) in Pinckney, New York. In Erie, Pennsylvania, an all time single day snowfall record was set at 22.6 in (57 cm) with a total of 42.5 in (108 cm) of snowfall.[22]

Season effects

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2024–25 North American winter season statistics
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

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  1. ^ "Earth's Seasons" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  2. ^ "Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons". 10 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Santa Fe, region buried in snow as early winter blast bears down, Santa Fe New Mexican, November 9, 2024
  11. ^ "2 killed, more than 600,000 without power in Western Washington amid pacific bomb cyclone winds". Seattle: KUOW-FM. November 20, 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ Early season snow storm dumps 61 cm (2 feet) of snow in northeastern U.S., Watchers, November 24, 2024
  15. ^ Snow is coming to the Northeast, but don’t fall for the hype, CNN, November 22, 2024
  16. ^ N.J. snow totals hit 20 inches. See latest town-by-town snowfall numbers., NJ.com, November 23, 2024
  17. ^ The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Potent winter storm in Northeast disrupts Thanksgiving travel, Fox Weather, November 22, 2024
  18. ^ Amid a drought warning, it rained in NYC for the 1st time in weeks. But it's not enough., CBS News, November 21, 2024
  19. ^ Northeast blasted by snow, beneficial rain as major airport hubs face travel delays, Fox Weather, November 23, 2024
  20. ^ "NWS CLE Lake Effect Snow Warnings". National Weather Service. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  21. ^ Lake-effect snowstorm to finally wind down after burying cities from Michigan to New York in feet of snow, Fox Weather, December 2, 2024
  22. ^ Watch: Feet of lake-effect snow piles up along Great Lakes paralyzing travel, prompting states of emergency, Fox Weather, December 3, 2024