New Year’s Weather Outlook: Storms and Travel Impacts to Ring in 2026
As the world prepares to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026, the weather is expected to play a significant role in shaping the celebrations. According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney, the countdown to 2026 will be marked by a shift in the weather pattern, bringing new conditions to various regions across the United States.
The arrival of the New Year will bring yet another shift in the weather pattern, setting the stage for the start of 2026. After a year of wild weather, many are wondering how their region will roll into the new year.
Temperature Outlook: Below-Average Temperatures Expected for Millions
Though a ridge of high pressure produced record-breaking temperatures in over 620 locations on Christmas week, more than 230 million Americans are expected to experience below-average temperatures early next week. Highs in Minneapolis will drop into the teens on Sunday and Monday, while cities from Syracuse, New York, through much of New England are expected to see morning lows in the 20s and teens on Tuesday morning. 
FILE: NEW YORK, US – JANUARY 01: Fireworks lit up the sky behind the Statue of Liberty during the new year celebrations in New York City, United States on Sunday night, on January 01, 2024. Many people gathered outside to welcome the New Year in a festive climate. Crowds flocked to squares and entertainment centers to celebrate the end of 2023 and the arrival of 2024. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Storm System Threatens Millions with High Winds, Snow, and Rain
NEXT MAJOR STORM SYSTEM THREATENS MILLIONS WITH HIGH WINDS, SNOW AND RAIN. The National Weather Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day temperature outlook highlights below-average temperatures covering much of the eastern United States. Current forecasts suggest New Year’s Day will remain relatively dry and seasonable across the East, just after the Northeast was blanketed in snow courtesy of a powerful winter storm that delivered the most snow to New York City in over three years. 
This graphic displays the New Year’s Eve forecast across the Lower 48. (FOX Weather)
MASSIVE WINTER STORM CAUSES TRAVEL NIGHTMARE IN NORTHEAST. People walk in the snow in Central Park in New York City on December 27, 2025. New York City received around 4 inches (10 centimeters) of snow overnight. Airlines canceled 1,500 US flights during the peak holiday travel period Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast. 
(Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Western United States: Active Pattern Takes a Pause
Out West, the active pattern briefly takes a pause on Monday and Tuesday before the next chance for rain and mountain snow arrives for New Year’s Day on Thursday. A weaker series of storms is expected from Seattle to Los Angeles, with impacts significantly lower than those experienced on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED ACROSS LOS ANGELES METRO FROM FLOODING, RAIN. 
(Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Central and Southeastern United States should remain quiet and warmer than average through New Year’s Eve. As with any long-range forecast, details may evolve, so stay with the FOX Forecast Center for updates through the weekend. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER. Looking further ahead into the New Year, the overall pattern is expected to become more active, with deeper dips in the jet stream and cooler air returning to the Northern Tier. 
(Getty Images / Getty Images)
This aligns with Climate Prediction Center outlooks for January that favor cooler conditions across the North and warmer temperatures across the South, typical of a weak La Niña winter, along with above-average precipitation across the Midwest and the Northwest. For the latest updates on the New Year’s weather outlook, visit Here
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