Fall is here and winter is near, and now you’re starting to wonder what to expect for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s The Old Farmer’s Almanac Thanksgiving 2025 weather forecast and winter’s first snowfall predictions.
While an overall warmer-than-average fall season was predicted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac for 2025 for the United States, most of Pennsylvania, the Appalachians and Lower Lakes are forecast to see cooler-than-average temperatures and dry conditions with lower-than average precipitation.
The first measurable snowfall in the Northeast region has come as early as late September for areas of Vermont and Maine in prior years, while Erie, Pennsylvania, has gotten it as early as the first week of October, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center, with an overall average date for most areas ranging from October to late December.
Erie, PA – Nov. 9 is the average date of first measurable snow
Pittsburgh, PA – Nov. 16 is the average date of first measurable snow
Allentown, PA – Dec. 6 is the average date of first measurable snow
Kennedy Airport, NY – Dec. 9 is the average date of first measurable snow
Newark, NJ – Dec. 9 is the average date of first measurable snow
Willmington, DE – Dec. 17 is the average date of first measurable snow
Philadelphia, PA – Dec. 19 is the average date of first measurable snow
This year, Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, Nov. 27 and according to AAA reports, it’s anticipated that 89% of Americans heading out for the holiday will travel by car that week, while 7% fly.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Thanksgiving travel map 2025
Here’s what The Old Farmer’s Almanac says about the Thanksgiving forecast and the Pennsylvania winter weather predictions.
What is The Old Farmer’s Almanac Thanksgiving 2025 weather forecast?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac calls for “sunshine in much of the East” and rainy in the West with some snow limited to a few states on the Northern tier of the country, including New England and the Upper Midwest.
Pennsylvania and the Northeast region are forecast for colder than average temperatures to accompany the sunny sky forecast over the holiday, but according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac there may be some light snow through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley prior to Turkey Day.
Neighboring New Jersey, Delaware, and the Atlantic Corridor is forecast to see “temperatures slip from mild early to chilly by the holiday, but skies stay bright and dry” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Pleasant travel conditions without rain or snow delays are predicted.
What is the Old Farmer’s Almanac winter weather forecast for 2025/26?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac winter weather forecast 2025-2026 calls for “mostly mild – with pockets of wild.” But for most of Pennsylvania, that forecast says “Colder than usual with a split snow story: lighter in the north, heavier in the south.”
Temperatures are predicted to be below normal with the coldest spells coming in mid- and late-December, early and late-January and early February.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a mild winter for much of the country, including southcentral Pennsylvania.
Precipitation is forecast to be below normal, translating to below normal snowfall. The most snow is expected to arrive in late-December, late-January, early and late-February, and mid-March, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
How much snow will Pennsylvania get in 2025-26?
Precipitation and snowfall is expected to be below normal for the upcoming 2025-26 winter season in Pennsylvnina, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Though, the Pittsburgh area may be an outlier where more snow is predicted.
Average snowfall totals in Pennsylvania can vary from as little as 18-24″ in areas like Philadelphia to 36-42″ in the Poconos to as much as 110-140″ in areas surrounding Erie, according to PAWeatherAction.com.
Last year’s snow totals, according to the National Weather Service for 2024-2025, showed Erie with a high 109.9″, Pittsburgh with 30.4″, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 27.8″, Allentown with 17.8″ and Philadelphia with 8.1.”
When is winter solstice 2025?
Winter solstice 2025, which marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, will occur on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, 10:03 a.m. Eastern.
How accurate is the Old Farmer’s Almanac?
Weather predictions are accurate about 80% of the time, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac website, citing inaccuracies can be reflections of abnormal weather patterns.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts warmer Thanksgiving 2025 for some