We Put the 5 Major Winter Forecasts to the Test Here's What Actually Happened on the Mountain

"AccuWeather came out on top overall, providing the most accurate forecasts for skiers, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions, where conditions were more favorable."

"Farmers' Almanac and Direct Weather performed well east of the Mississippi, with Direct Weather also accurately predicting conditions in California, showcasing its forecasting strengths."

"NOAA's forecast was useful in California and the Midwest but suffered from significant inaccuracies in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast, impacting its overall performance."

"The Old Farmer's Almanac had sharp calls for the West but could not recover from major misses in the East, leading to a less favorable evaluation."

Winter 2025-26 split the U.S. into two weather patterns, with the West facing warmth and rain while the Midwest and Northeast enjoyed colder conditions. Forecast accuracy for skiers was evaluated based on snowfall and resort conditions. AccuWeather emerged as the top forecaster, while Farmers' Almanac and Direct Weather excelled in the East. NOAA had mixed results, performing well in California and the Midwest but poorly in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast. The Old Farmer's Almanac had some accurate calls in the West but struggled in the East.

Read at snowbrains.com