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As of November 9, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) have issued winter storm warnings primarily affecting the western and northern regions of the United States.
An early-onset storm system will bring heavy snow, strong winds, and low temperatures.
This warning focuses on a multi-day event beginning between November 6 and 7, affecting Alaska, Wyoming, and Washington.
Additionally, heavy snow and ice are expected in the Great Lakes region, the Northeast, and the south-central Appalachian Mountains through November 12.
This marks an unusually early and potentially disruptive start to the 2025-26 winter season, influenced by the development of a La Niña pattern that favors changes in the northern jet stream and episodes of intense cold.
The storm is creating significant weather challenges at the start of the season, especially in mountainous and northern regions, impacting travel, infrastructure, and daily life:
Up to 40 cm of snow is forecast for the Cascade Range in Washington (including Whatcom and Skagit counties, and Washington Pass above 1,200 meters) through the morning of November 8, with 10 to 20 cm expected in Wyoming’s Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains (up to 30 cm at the summits).
Up to 23 cm could accumulate in Thompson Pass, Alaska, leading to rapid snow accumulation and near-zero visibility.
Gusts of up to 65 km/h are expected across the three states, whipping up snow and reducing visibility to less than 800 meters, particularly in passes such as Teton, Togwotee, and Thompson.
A winter cold wave is gripping the eastern United States, with more than 100 million people experiencing wind chills and temperatures below -12°C in the north. In the west, wind chills could drop to dangerous levels, increasing risks to exposed skin.
Immediate impacts are being felt in rural and high-altitude communities in Alaska, Wyoming, and Washington, with broader repercussions across the Midwest and Northeast, where heavy snowfall (according to the WPC Winter Storm Severity Index) could affect urban centers.
These conditions are exacerbating the early onset of winter, and forecasts indicate that 12 states (including parts of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains) could see their first measurable snowfall by November 10.
This early winter storm underscores the potential for above-average cold and precipitation in the northern and western United States during the 2025-26 season, driven by La Niña dynamics that favor polar air incursions and nor’easter-like systems.
While not as widespread as the January/February events (which affected 60 to 110 million people in 20 to 30 states), it highlights the need to prepare for the forecast of frequent storms.
Residents in areas under alert should stock up on essential items (food, water, blankets), stay informed of updates from the National Weather Service (NWS), and avoid unnecessary travel.
Use apps like AccuWeather or the Storm Prediction Center’s (WPC) interactive maps for real-time tracking.
Volatility is expected to continue through mid-November, with trough patterns increasing the likelihood of snow in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. A negative Arctic Oscillation could intensify cold waves.
Early warnings like this highlight climate variability and spur investment in resilient road and power infrastructure. If you are traveling, check the Department of Transportation (DOT) website for mountain pass conditions.
Stay safe: Acting early can mitigate the worst effects of these weather systems.
