80 million Americans travel around Thanksgiving as families gather to celebrate this important holidayThe Old Farmer's Almanac gives yearly guidance on when snow can fallThe Old Farmer’s Almanac gives yearly guidance on when snow can fall(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

With Summer well and truly behind us, many New Yorkers are looking towards winter and waiting for that exciting first snow.

Thanksgiving is now just around the corner and many parts of New York State could see snow before that.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a long-running annual publication known for its weather forecasts among other sage advice. First published in 1792, it is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America and something of a yearly tradition for weather watchers.

Many parts of New York could see a snow-laden Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving 2025 approaches, New Yorkers and residents across the Northeast are keeping a close eye on seasonal weather patterns that could impact holiday travel and the start of winter.

READ MORE: Move your Wi-Fi router away from one household item to instantly boost speedsREAD MORE: Donald Trump suffers brutal blow as CNN host points out his contradictions live on airSnow can make travel very difficultSnow can make travel very difficult(Image: Getty Images)

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, while much of the U.S. may see a milder fall, New York and the surrounding Northeast are expected to experience colder and drier conditions than usual.

The forecast also highlights the typical snowfall timeline for key cities in New York, along with expectations for the upcoming 2025–26 winter season.

Where will see snow in New York?

Across New York State, snowfall timing and winter severity vary by region. Upstate cities like Binghamton, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester typically see measurable snow as early as early November, while New York City and Long Island don’t usually see snow until December.

A man shovels snow in Tappan, New York, on February 13, 2024. Millions of people in the northeastern US were engulfed by snow on February 13 as a powerful winter storm battered the region causing flight cancellations and closing schools.Snow levels will vary by region(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Central New York and the Southern Tier are forecasted to have a colder-than-normal winter, while areas like Western New York, the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, and NYC are expected to be slightly milder.

Across the broader Northeast, including Northern New England, residents may see snow around Thanksgiving, while the southern parts of the region are likely to remain crisp and dry.

When will snow fall in New York?

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27, and weather that week is expected to be chilly in the Northeast with possible snow in northern areas.

The first measurable snowfall in upstate New York generally falls in the first week of November, with dates such as:

Binghamton – Nov. 1

Syracuse – Nov. 6

Buffalo – Nov. 7

Rochester – Nov. 8

The streets of New York City could be covered in snow in a few months The streets of New York City could be covered in snow in a few months

In contrast, snowfall in NYC begins much later:

JFK Airport – Dec. 9

LaGuardia – Dec. 10

Central Park – Dec. 13

Travel could be impacted by snow around the holiday period

With 80 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving, knowing what kind of weather to expect is essential, especially in regions prone to early snow.

For New Yorkers, this means preparing for potential travel disruptions, particularly in upstate areas where snow often arrives earlier.

The variation in winter severity across the state also matters for seasonal planning, heating costs, and snow removal.

While the Old Farmer’s Almanac isn’t a substitute for daily forecasts, its long-range predictions can help set expectations and guide early preparations.