The 2024–25 North American winter was considerably colder and much more wintry across the North American continent, particularly in the eastern half of the United States, than the previous winter season. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) tracked a total of 21 significant winter storms during the winter. The season, marked by persistent rounds of very cold temperatures and impactful winter weather events, started with a powerful bomb cyclone that impacted the West Coast of the United States in mid-to-late November, and a severe lake-effect snowstorm in the Great Lakes later that month. However, the most significant and widespread event of the season was a historic blizzard that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in late January, in tandem with a severe cold wave that also brought extremely cold temperatures to the majority of the continent throughout much of January, the coldest such January in many years. These two events combined served to be one of the deadliest and costliest events of the season. Six storms were rated on the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI); though similar to the previous winter, none were rated above a Category 3 "Major" event.
Other significant winter events, some ranked on the RSI, also occurred throughout the season, including a wide-ranging Category 2 blizzard that affected much of the central parts of the United States in early January, followed by a another Category 2 winter storm that brought snow and ice to the South, a quick-moving nor'easter that affected much of the Northeastern United States. A pattern change in February brought a series of winter storms and cold temperatures to the eastern half of the U.S., before abruptly ending at the end of the month. A weak La Niña was expected to influence the weather patterns across the North American continent this winter. Collectively, the winter weather events resulted in 55 deaths and at least US$3.38 billion (2025 USD) in damages.
While there is no well-agreed-upon date used to indicate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two definitions of winter which may be used. Based on the astronomical definition, winter begins at the winter solstice, which in 2024 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2025 occurred on March 20. Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 28. Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability. Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. Since both definitions span the calendar year, it is possible to have a winter storm spanning two different years.
Seasonal forecasts
On October 19, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center released its U.S. Winter Outlook. The temperature and precipitation outlooks reflected the likelihood of a weak La Niña pattern that would continue during most of the winter. The forecast called for warmer than average temperatures across much of the southern United States in addition to the East Coast, as well as the Gulf Coast, with colder than average temperatures in the Northwestern United States. The forecast also called for drier than average conditions across the southern United States, and wetter than average conditions in the northwest and central United States – despite some regions of the South receiving heavy rainfall during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
On December 4, 2024, Environment Canada released its winter outlook for December, January and February as part of their monthly climate outlooks. The agency predicted near to above average temperatures across most of Canada; particularly in the northern and eastern regions of Canada. Western regions of Canada were expected to have warmer conditions at the start of winter, before eventually trending to more cooler temperatures throughout the remainder of the winter season.
Seasonal summary
The 2024–25 winter season opened with a significant blizzard affecting the Rocky Mountains in early November, described by the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) as historic, with up to . Two weeks later on November 19, an extremely strong bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest, bringing record-low pressure readings for that region and knocking out power to over 900,000, killing 4 people. Beginning in the first few days of December, several periods of widespread below-average temperatures moved throughout the North American continent, affecting over 200 million people in the United States and Canada, in what was the coldest start to meteorological winter for many in several years. Temperatures ranged from below average across the Northeastern United States, with places like New York City having temperatures at the first five days of the month, which was the coldest such period since 2019. Additionally, the first cold snap influenced a severe lake-effect snow event in the Great Lakes mentioned previously, as well as bringing colder temperatures to parts of Canada. This pattern was soon replaced by a brief warm-up, before colder temperatures briefly returned by mid-month, with wind chills reaching as Iow as in the Dakotas and single-digit temperatures in Chicago, Illinois, on the morning of December 11 followed by another brief warm-up period. Another large spread of below-average temperatures encompassed the Northeast just as the winter solstice began on December 21, with wind chills reaching as low as in some areas.
Events There were several winter weather events during the 2024–25 North American winter. Significant events include cold waves, snowstorms, and other notable events outside the conventional limits of winter.
Early November blizzard
A historic 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. At least of snow fell in Colorado, at least in New Mexico, in Nebraska, in Oklahoma, and in Kansas. 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. Over 52,000 customers lost power in New Mexico during the storms.Santa Fe, region buried in snow as early winter blast bears down, Santa Fe New Mexican, November 9, 2024
The system also drew strength from a stalled front over the Southern U.S. and tropical moisture it absorbed from the weakening Tropical Storm Rafael to its south causing significant flooding in Georgia and South Carolina, with 12 inches of rain falling in less than 24 hours. In the latter, two people were killed as a result, though these do not count towards the blizzard’s death count.
November West Coast bomb cyclone
A very strong bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest on November 19, resulting in the death of four people and 953,000 without electric power. The storm underwent bombogenesis, rapidly dropping its central pressure to a record-tying level of . The storm was associated with an atmospheric river that dropped large amounts of rain in Oregon and California.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare high risk of excessive rainfall in parts of Northern California, warning of "life-threatening flooding". In British Columbia, Canada, over 270,000 customers of BC Hydro were left without power. Highways 4, 14, 18, and 28—all on Vancouver Island—were closed due to debris and downed power lines. On Sartine Island, a gust of was 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.
Late November–early December lake-effect snow Lake effect snow impacted portions of northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania near Lake Erie, leaving accumulations of . In preparation of the storm, Interstate 90 shut down over of highway. Snow also resulted in portions of Interstate 94 and Pennsylvania State Route 5 closing.Lake-effect snowstorm to finally wind down after burying cities from Michigan to New York in feet of snow, Fox Weather, December 2, 2024 Snowfall totals reached in Pinckney, New York. In Erie, Pennsylvania, an all time single day snowfall record was set at with a total of of snowfall.Watch: Feet of lake-effect snow piles up along Great Lakes paralyzing travel, prompting states of emergency, Fox Weather, December 3, 2024 Areas slightly further north in Ontario also were severely affected, with of snow being reported in Echo Bay and in Sault Ste. Marie. Within Ontario, many collisions and accidents were reported on major highways in the Muskoska region.
The winter storm resulted in two fatalities in Upstate New York, as well as 14,000 power outages in the state of Pennsylvania.At least 2 deaths blamed on snowstorm hitting much of the Northeast, PennLive, December 5, 2024
Pre-Christmas Northeast U.S. winter storm
At the start of the winter solstice on December 20–21, a developing winter storm off the coast of the United States ended up bringing the first accumulating snowfall to many regions of the Northeast and parts of New England as well. The system developed from an Alberta clipper that moved through the Upper Midwest which dropped to a majority of the region, before weakening and merging with a developing coastal low before spreading accumulating snow across the Northeast corridor.The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Upper Midwest braces for heaviest snowfall of season so far, Fox Weather, December 19, 2024
Chicago O'Hare International Airport issued a ground stop in response to the winter weather on December 20, and the airport recorded , with up to in parts of the state and up to fell in Wisconsin.Friday saw average temps; northern counties get bulk of snowfall, WGN-TV, December 20, 2024 In the Northeast, Central Park in New York City recorded of snow, which was their first December snowfall since 2021, and the first over an inch since a nor'easter in 2020. Both LaGuardia Airport at of snow and Islip at of snow set daily snowfall records.The 2.0 inches at Islip and 2.8 inches at LaGuardia are daily records for 12/21. The previous record for 12/21 at Islip was 1.0 inches set in 1995 and the previous record for LaGuardia was 1.7 inches set in 1962.#NYXwx #NYwx, NWS New York, Twitter, December 21, 2024 In New Jersey, close to fell in the northern and northwestern portions of the state. A ground stop was briefly issued at Newark Liberty International Airport.Incoming flights grounded or delayed at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, Pix11, December 20, 2024 Further northeast, heavier snow of fell in and around Boston, Massachusetts, where several car crashes were reported, road closures occurred and Logan International Airport, which received , canceled or delayed dozens of flights in and out of the airport. It was the heaviest snowfall in the city since a blizzard in 2022.
Early January blizzard
A large-scale winter storm and blizzard began affecting the central U.S. in early January. On January 4, the interaction of the remnants from an extratropical cyclone that moved ashore the Pacific Northwest the previous day and the mountainous terrain of the Rocky Mountains led to the formation of a surface area of low pressure near the New Mexico–Texas border. Atmospheric convection generated by the system over cold air already in place led to wintry precipitation developing across parts of the High Plains later that night and into the early morning of January 5.