In addition to its yearly winter outlook, the Farmer's Almanac has issued a "typical first snowfall of the season" outlook, with predictions for North Carolina split into two distinct regions.
The Citizen Times previously reported on this year's long-range winter forecast from the almanac. In the 2026 outlook, the Farmer's Almanac predicted that this winter would be a "season of sharp contrasts, with an active southern storm track, quick bursts of snow and bitter cold across the North, and a tricky mix of rain, sleet, ice, and heavy wet snow in the Northeast." The outlook also included effects from El Niño, which is expected to create wetter-than-normal conditions in the winter months for North Carolina.
The almanac's typical first snowfall report,
however, is less based on individual yearly predictions, and more a picture of what is expected based on snowfall dates in past years. Here's what the report found for NC's two regions, plus a quick rundown on the winter outlook and more.
When will the first snow come in North Carolina? Asheville?
The Farmer's Almanac divided its snowfall forecast for North Carolina into two regions: the Appalachians region, which covers the westernmost area of N.C., and the Southeast region, which spans the rest of the state.
For the Southeast region of the state, the almanac predicts that the first snow of the year is most likely to come in December or January. That is, if snow comes at all, the report also noted that snow is more unusual for the non-western region of the state.
As for the Appalachian region, which includes the Asheville area, the first snow of the year is more likely to come late November through December. November snows may be more likely in the higher mountains of the Appalachian region.
Will it be a snowy winter in North Carolina? Asheville?
The Citizen Times previously reported on the Farmer's Almanac winter outlook for the Tar Heel State. In this year's outlook, the almanac noted that El Niño is expected to remain an "important influence through the heart of the season," creating wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the southern U.S. In the Tar Heel State, predictions call for "wet and stormy" weather throughout the winter months.
When is the first day of fall 2026?
The fall equinox, which marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:04 p.m.
When is the first day of winter 2026?
The winter solstice, which marks the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Monday, Dec. 21, at 3:50 p.m.
How does the Farmers' Almanac make weather predictions?
In publication since 1818, the Farmer's Almanac is described on its website as a "compendium of knowledge on weather, gardening, cooking, home remedies, managing your household, preserving the earth, and more."
The Farmers' Almanac describes its methods of forecasting as a "tried-and-true formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live." The formula uses rules set forth in 1818, but accounts for solar activity, the motion of the moon and "fluctuations in the environment on earth."
The Almanac reports 80-85% accuracy on regional outlooks, noting that independent reviews place actual accuracy "somewhat lower, but still meaningfully above chance."
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Farmer's Almanac predicts when North Carolina could see its first snow
