Skiers and snowboarders spend plenty of time studying winter snowfall predictions for their favorite mountains, but what about the cities they call home?
AccuWeather has released its metropolitan areas snowfall predictions for the 2026-27 winter season, forecasting a dramatic shift from last winter’s weather patterns. Some of the snowiest conditions are expected in areas that largely missed out on major storms last season, while parts of the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest could receive less snow than average.
According to AccuWeather’s winter outlook, a potentially historic El Niño could significantly influence storm tracks across the United States. The forecast favors an early start to the snow season across parts of the West, with the storm track shifting later in winter to bring additional snowfall opportunities to the Plains.
Among the most striking predictions are 50 to 65 inches for Salt Lake City, 45 to 55 inches for Denver and 55 to 70 inches for Buffalo, New York.
AccuWeather’s 2026-27 Snowfall Predictions by City
The following are AccuWeather’s predicted snowfall totals for the upcoming winter, ranked from highest to lowest by the upper end of each forecast range.
| City | Predicted snowfall |
|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 55–70 inches |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 50–65 inches |
| Albany, NY | 45–60 inches |
| Denver, CO | 45–55 inches |
| Minneapolis, MN | 40–55 inches |
| Cleveland, OH | 30–45 inches |
| Omaha, NE | 25–40 inches |
| Spokane, WA | 25–38 inches |
| Bismarck, ND | 25–35 inches |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 20–35 inches |
| Detroit, MI | 20–30 inches |
| Boston, MA | 15–30 inches |
| Chicago, IL | 12–25 inches |
| Kansas City, MO | 12–24 inches |
| Boise, ID | 10–20 inches |
| New York City, NY | 10–20 inches |
| St. Louis, MO | 8–16 inches |
| Philadelphia, PA | 5–15 inches |
| Washington, D.C. | 3–10 inches |
| Charlotte, NC | 3–9 inches |
| Nashville, TN | 2–7 inches |
| Atlanta, GA | 1–5 inches |
| Dallas, TX | 0–3 inches |
| Seattle, WA | 0.5–3 inches |
Northeast Could See Significantly Less Snow Than Last Winter
AccuWeather expects a substantial reduction in snowfall across parts of the Northeast compared with last winter.
Boston recorded 62.8 inches during the 2025-26 season but is forecast to receive just 15 to 30 inches this winter. Philadelphia measured 30.1 inches last season and is now projected to receive between 5 and 15 inches.
Forecasters caution that below-average seasonal snowfall doesn’t rule out a significant winter storm. The Northeast could still experience a major snowstorm during the middle or latter part of winter.
The Great Lakes region could also see fewer lake-effect snow events early in the season because of a lack of prolonged Arctic outbreaks. However, lake-effect snowfall could become more frequent later in winter if the lakes remain largely ice-free into January and February.
El Niño Could Bring a Very Different Winter
AccuWeather expects El Niño to play an important role in determining which parts of the country receive the most snow.
The forecast calls for an active start across parts of the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin and central and southern Rockies. By January and February, a shifting storm track could bring more frequent snowstorms to portions of the Plains.
Meanwhile, much of the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest is forecast to receive less snow than average.
As with any seasonal forecast issued months in advance, the predictions are subject to considerable uncertainty. Changes in storm tracks, temperatures and the strength of El Niño could produce snowfall totals substantially different from those currently projected.
