"California's winter forecast was one of NOAA's cleanest wins, predicting above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. The Sierra experienced a warm and inconsistent season, with snow retention severely impacted by record warmth in March."
"In the Pacific Northwest, NOAA's forecast leaned cooler and wetter, but skiers faced high snow lines and rain events, leading to a snowpack at only 53% of the median in Washington and record-low levels in Oregon."
The NOAA winter forecast for 2025-26 showed accuracy in California, predicting above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. However, it misjudged the Pacific Northwest, where high snow lines and rain events led to significantly low snowpack levels. The Northeast experienced unexpected cold and snow. California's snow retention was severely impacted by record warmth and dryness in March, resulting in a drastically reduced snowpack. The forecast's focus on temperature and precipitation rather than snowfall limited its utility for skiers, especially in the context of a record warm winter.
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