Bucks County temperatures are still feeling summer like as we inch closer to fall's official start, but while we wait for the leaves to change, we know winter is lurking around the corner.
Despite time before the cold kicks in, the Farmers' Almanac is giving us a look at what winter could bring and when.
When will Bucks County and Philadelphia see its first snow?
The Farmers' Almanac predicts that the Philadelphia region, including Bucks County, could see its first snow of the upcoming season in late November or December.
The almanac, however, pointed out that this wasn't a forecast for a storm: It was a climatological guide that takes into account long-term averages, patterns and statistical norms for conditions such as temperature, rainfall and wind conditions.
In other words, conditions favorable for
snow have historically begun to take place in late November.
When will the first frost hit Bucks County?
The Farmers' Almanac projects the first frost will occur in Bucks County and the region between late October and mid-November.
What is Farmers' Almanac's winter forecast for Philly and Bucks County?
The Farmers' Almanac is predicting a complicated weather pattern for the Philly region and the shore.
Coastal communities could receive more rain or mixed precipitation, while inland areas may be hit by several rounds of heavy, wet snow, particularly during January and February, the Farmers' Almanac said.
Small shifts in storm tracks and temperatures could make the difference between rain, sleet, freezing rain and accumulating snow. Residents should be prepared for forecasts to change quickly as storms approach.
What is Old Farmer's Almanac's winter forecast for Bucks County?
Old Farmer's Almanac — which is separate from the Farmers' Almanac but offers similar seasonal forecasts — is predicting above-average temperatures, but snow lovers shouldn't fret because we should see some. For now, the ingredients for an active winter are in the forecast, but a snowy Pennsylvania winter is far from guaranteed.
The Old Farmer's Almanac points to the developing El Niño as one of the primary drivers of winter 2026-27 and generally favors a milder winter across much of the country. The publication says some regions could still see cold and snowy periods, but its forecast contains relatively few areas projected to be colder than normal.
And while a strong El Niño pattern historically has increased the chances for major East Coast winter storms, there's still a question of whether the air will be cold enough in Pennsylvania to fuel a big storm.
For Pennsylvania, the almanac's forecast suggests that winter weather remains possible, but it stops short of predicting a blockbuster snow season.
Philadelphia averages about 23 inches of snow annually.
NOAA's broader winter outlook favors warmer-than-normal conditions across much of the northern U.S. while also favoring wetter-than-normal conditions across parts of the East Coast, California and the southern U.S.
Reporter Maria Francis contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Farmers' Almanac snowfall map shows when snow may hit Philly area
