Climate Prediction Center Heavy Snow Map Shows States Facing Snow

The Climate Prediction Center has released a heavy snow map that identifies a limited Southwest region where temperatures are expected to dip below normal, increasing the likelihood of notable snowfall in the coming weeks. At the same time, the broader United States is projected to experience warmer-than‑average conditions throughout December.

climate prediction center heavy snow map

The new map, produced by The Weather Company and referenced by senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman, shades southern California, most of Arizona and the southwestern half of New Mexico in blue, indicating below‑normal temperatures. These cooler conditions align with a higher probability of snow on Christmas morning, particularly in the higher elevations of the southern Rockies that span parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

New Map Shows Which States Face Heavy Snow Next Week

According to the heavy‑snow map, the three states in the blue zone are the primary candidates for heavier snowfall in the next week. While the map does not guarantee snow, the colder air mass increases the odds compared with the rest of the country, where a gray band signals near‑normal temperatures across Nevada, Utah, northern California and Texas.

Winter Weather Coming Early: 3 Areas Facing Significant Snow This Weekend

Beyond the Southwest, the forecast highlights three broader regions where the combination of cooler temperatures and atmospheric patterns could produce significant snow this weekend. These include the high country of the southern Rockies, parts of the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes, where the map shows the darkest shading for below‑average warmth.

Map Shows US States Facing Coldest Weather Next Month

The December outlook also points to a stark contrast between the cold pocket in the Southwest and a much warmer trend across the Midwest and Northeast. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan receive the deepest warm shading, suggesting a milder month for those states. This divergence mirrors earlier seasonal outlooks that predicted a warm start to winter for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.

Additional Context and Future Outlook

Other forecasters, such as AccuWeather and Fox Weather, echo the general pattern of a warm northern tier and cooler southern areas, though they differ on the extent and duration of the cold spell. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) remains cautious, offering equal chances of warm, near‑normal or cold conditions for much of the Southwest and not favoring below‑normal temperatures in the official seasonal outlook.

The potential for a polar‑vortex disruption adds uncertainty. The CPC notes that such an event in November is rare but could last up to two months if it occurs, competing with El Niño influences. For more on this possibility, see the related article on early polar vortex disruption. The official December outlook from the CPC is scheduled for release on November 19, which will provide further detail on snow probabilities and temperature trends.

Sources: Yahoo, Autoblog, Men's Journal.