With The Farmers’ Almanac already calling for a cooler-than-normal fall in NYC, it’s also warning that some parts of the country could see wintery weather as soon as September—yes, that’s next month.
NYC winter weather 2025-2026 outlook
According to the forecast, NYC will be near the season’s coldest temperatures (found from the Northern Plains to New England), but not directly in the cold zone.
If you’re hoping for a white winter you might want to head north or west. New Yorkers and other residents along the Atlantic Coast can gear up for significant rain, mixing with snow, but not as much snowfall as New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
This is simply an extended forecast with early insights. A complete forecast will be released in the 2026 edition.
The Farmers’ Almanac accuracy
The Farmers’ Almanac has been releasing weather forecasts for over the last two centuries. The tried-and-true formula analyzes a combination of celestial events, various meteorological conditions, solar activity, the motion of the Moon, and other factors. It claims to be 80% accurate.
Early signs of a harsh winter
Of course, all predictions aren’t final and the Almanac offers signs based on weather lore that you can watch for to gauge how harsh the winter may be.
20 signs of a harsh winter
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Thicker-than-normal onion skins or corn husks
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Woodpeckers sharing a tree
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The early arrival of the snowy owl
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The early departure of geese and ducks
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The early migration of the monarch butterfly
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Thick hair on the nape of a cow’s neck
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Heavy and numerous fogs during August
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Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands
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Mice chewing furiously to get into your home
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The early arrival of crickets on the hearth
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Spiders spinning larger-than-usual webs and entering the house in great numbers
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Pigs gathering sticks
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Ants marching in a line rather than meandering
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Early seclusion of bees within the hive
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Unusual abundance of acorns
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Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river bank
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“See how high the hornet’s nest, ’twill tell how high the snow will rest.”
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The size of the orange band on the woolly bear (or woolly worm) caterpillar: a narrow band means a snowy winter, and a wide band means a mild winter; fuzzier-than-normal ones indicate a very cold winter
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Squirrels gathering nuts early
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Frequent halos or rings around the sun or moon forecast numerous snowfalls