A seasonal outlook cannot tell you how many inches of snow your town will get. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecasts the probabilities of above-, near- or below-normal seasonal average temperature and total precipitation—not seasonal snowfall totals. Use it to understand broad climate tendencies, then turn to local National Weather Service forecasts for a particular storm or travel day.
What a seasonal snowfall outlook actually tells you
The phrase “snowfall outlook” can be misleading when applied to CPC’s seasonal maps. Those maps cover a broad three-month period and show the likelihood that average temperature and total precipitation will fall into above-, near- or below-normal categories. They do not predict storm dates, daily weather, or seasonal snow accumulation. NOAA says the outlook “does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.” NOAA’s winter outlook explanation describes that limitation.
To answer “Will it be a snowy winter?”, separate the underlying questions: Is total precipitation favored above normal? Are temperatures favored colder or warmer than normal? And, given local conditions, how often might precipitation fall as snow rather than rain or another form? CPC’s temperature and precipitation maps can inform the first two questions, but do not resolve the third.
How to read the CPC A/B/N probability map
CPC divides the historical distribution for a place and season into three categories, or terciles: the lower third, middle third and upper third. The map labels them B (below normal), N (near normal) and A (above normal). The probability assigned to the three categories adds to 100%. The letter marks the favored category; shading indicates its probability. A category probability above 33.33% is favored over the equal one-third baseline, but is not a guarantee. CPC’s map-reading guide explains the categories and probabilities.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- [Color LCD Screen Weather Station] Newentor temperature & humidity monitor with a large color LCD display shows essential home weather information at a glance: indoor/outdoor temperature & humidity, daily high/low records, customizable alerts, time/date, alarm clock & snooze, weather forecast, moon phase, and barometric pressure.
- [Two Power Modes & Adjustable Backlight] To enjoy a 24/7 continuous always-on vibrant display, simply connect this home weather station to a wall outlet using the included DC power adapter. When operating on battery power only (batteries not included), the digital thermometer automatically enters an eco-energy-saving mode, where the screen lights up for a quick 15-second glance before dimming. It is the perfect bedside or living room clock designed to fit your power preference.
- [3-channel Home Weather Stations Wireless Indoor Outdoor] Wireless temperature forecast station supports up to 3 remote sensors to monitor inside outside temperature & humidity of multiple locations. Package contains one remote sensor.
- [Wireless Forecast Station] The weather forecast station calculates the weather forecast for the next 12-24 hours, 7 to 10 days calibration ensures an accurate personal forecast for your location.
- [Wireless Weather Station with Atomic Time&Date] Atomic alarm clock weather station can be used not only as a wireless indoor outdoor thermometer but also as an atomic clock with dual alarms.
- A, above normal: The upper-third category is favored. This does not state how far above normal conditions will be.
- N, near normal: The middle-third category is favored; it does not promise an exactly average season.
- B, below normal: The lower-third category is favored. It does not quantify how far below normal conditions may be.
- EC, equal chances: The tools do not favor any category over the others. EC is not a forecast that conditions will be exactly normal.
Probability describes the chance of a category, not its magnitude. An above-normal precipitation probability does not say how much rain or snow will fall, how many storms will occur, or how much snowfall will accumulate.
Check the baseline shown on the specific outlook
The CPC map-reading guide describes categories using 1981–2010 observations, while the current seasonal outlook page labels its climatological values 1991–2020. Because those references differ, use the baseline displayed with the particular outlook you are reading rather than assuming the older explanatory page’s period applies. CPC’s seasonal outlook page provides current outlooks and climatological values.
Rank #2
- Illuminated Indoor Outdoor Weather Station for Home with Large Colorful Display: The home weather station delivers large big numbers for weather forecast info, indoor outdoor temperature, atomic time, date, year and calendar day, which is super easy to read from afar.
- Indoor outdoor Thermometer Wireless with High/Low Temperature Alert: The digital weather station supports 3 outdoor sensors which helps to monitor temperature and humidity of multiple locations (one sensor included). With the high/low temperature alert function, the weather station clock keeps you informed about the changes of weather thermometer outdoor.
- WWVB Atomic Weather Station with Auto DST: Weather atomic clock with indoor/outdoor temp always keeps precise time and date by receiving the WWVB atomic signal. The self setting digital weather clock will automatically adjust to daylight saving time with auto DST feature, no more resetting twice a year.
- Personal Weather Forecast Station: This weather stations wireless indoor outdoor predicts the next 12-24 hours weather condition with a 7-day calibration through the pressure of your location which provides you a better outing experience.
- 5 Level Adjustable Backlight Brightness: The weather clock indoor outdoor temperature atomic with backlight dimmer function helps you avoid high-intensity light that disturb your sleep and easily check the weather situation during the day.
Does above-average precipitation mean more snow?
No—not by itself. The precipitation outlook covers total precipitation, not its form. Whether local precipitation falls as snow depends on conditions that a broad seasonal precipitation category does not forecast. A wetter-than-normal outlook therefore cannot be translated directly into a snowier-than-normal winter.
Read the temperature and precipitation maps together for context, but do not combine them into a snowfall prediction. The CPC outlook page also links forecast discussions, text formats, climatological values and information about tools used. The discussion can explain signals behind an outlook, but it does not change what the map forecasts.
Rank #3
- Comprehensive Weather Information: One of the best weather stations, receive over 55 data points that allow you to monitor historical data, the heat index, dew point, feels like temperature, pressure trends with trend arrow, and more
- Real-Time Weather Conditions: Look no further for the perfect indoor and outdoor weather station! Wirelessly receive readings for indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity, wind speed/direction, barometric pressure, and rainfall directly to your home weather station
- Easiest Setup on the Market: Just install batteries, attach the wireless outdoor sensor to a pole or post using the included mounting bracket, and you’re ready to be the neighborhood weather expert
- Weather Clock: The indoor weather station display is a large, color LCD Display with the current time, date, and an adjustable dimmer, making it convenient to read and easily view indoor and outdoor data, time, and conditions
- Weather Forecast: The outdoor weather station collects elevation data and combines it with barometric pressure data from the indoor weather station to provide a personalized weather forecast 12 hours from your current conditions
Use the issue date and period on the map
CPC updates its three-month outlook monthly, so identify both the issue date and the exact season before interpreting or sharing a map. At the time the cited CPC page was checked, it listed October–November–December 2026, followed by rolling periods including November–December–January 2026–27 and December–January–February 2026–27. Those periods are time-specific examples, not a permanent schedule of current forecasts.
What forecast skill can—and cannot—tell you
CPC defines forecast skill by comparing performance with a standard, often the long-term 30-year average, or climatology. Its skill explanation describes the Heidke skill score: 0 means no better than chance, 100 is a perfect forecast, and -50 is the worst possible score. A score depends on what is being forecast and where, so probability shading on a map is not itself a measure of accuracy. CPC’s skill-score explanation describes the scale.
Rank #4
- Simple Setup and Use: Install 2 AA batteries (not included) in the outdoor weather station sensor and easily hang on a post or tree branch using the integrated hanger to begin receiving your weather forecast and hyperlocal conditions
- Real-Time Weather Conditions: This indoor outdoor weather station has an indoor temperature gauge and an outdoor temperature thermometer for indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure trends from an outdoor temperature sensor
- Weather Forecast and Forecasting Technology: The outside temperature thermometer wirelessly relays data to provide a hyperlocal, personalized weather forecast 12 hours from your current conditions, so you can plan your la crosse or other sports game!
- Illuminated LCD Color Display: Easy-to-view digital indoor outdoor thermometer display has an adjustable dimmer to make for the perfect addition to your home technology and allows easy placement anywhere in the house, office, or as an RV weather station
- Dynamic Forecast Icons and Moon Phase: With multiple thermometers & weather instruments data, this digital indoor outdoor thermometer display has trend arrows and provides the current moon phase to further impact your weather monitoring capabilities
The official pages cited here do not provide a universal score for “seasonal snowfall outlook accuracy.” CPC’s seasonal product forecasts temperature and precipitation categories, not snowfall accumulation, so a category map should not be judged as though it were a snow-total forecast.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to switch to a short-range forecast
For a particular storm, travel day or expected snow amount, check current local National Weather Service forecasts and winter weather products as the date approaches. NOAA gives a general rule of thumb that snow forecasts are usually not predictable more than a week ahead; this is not a guarantee about every location or forecast. Product availability can change, so consult the current Weather Prediction Center and local NWS pages for operational details.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBest Value
- COMPLETE WEATHER STATION: (1) Osprey Sensor Array with Rain Cup, and (1) Brilliant, Easy-to-Read LCD Color Display
- AUTHENTIC HYPER-LOCAL DATA: Monitor your actual home and backyard weather conditions with our wireless and Wi-Fi-enabled sensor array measuring wind speed/direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall, UV intensity, and solar radiation
- SMART HOME READY: Set up alerts, access your data remotely, and program your home based on weather conditions using IFTT, Google Home, Alexa, and more
- ENHANCED WIFI: Enables your station to transmit its data wirelessly to the world's largest personal weather station network (optional setting)
- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Connect to Ambient Weather Network to customize your dashboard tiles, share hyperlocal weather conditions via social feeds and create your own forecasts (coming soon)
The distinction is practical: a seasonal outlook describes broad probabilities for a region and a multi-month period; a near-term forecast addresses local weather and event-level timing, amounts or impacts. Use the former for climate context and the latter for decisions about an approaching winter event.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
