US winter 2025‑26: Complete snowfall forecast, first snow dates, regions most likely to see snow, and what to expect

As autumn draws to a close and temperatures steadily fall, excitement is building across the United States for the first snowfall of the 2025–26 winter season. According to the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), several northern regions are likely to experience snow earlier than usual this year. The first flakes were expected to fall over the Northern Rockies and parts of the Midwest by late September or early October, according to The Weather Channel , with snow gradually expanding eastward through November. Meanwhile, southern states are forecast to remain comparatively dry, setting the stage for a season marked by regional contrasts. According to NOAA’s early projections, the first measurable s