Winter may still be a while away, but forecasters are already warning that this season could bring a return to more traditional snow — at least in short, powerful bursts.
According to AccuWeather’s 2025–2026 winter outlook, New Jersey and much of the Northeast are expected to see more snow than last year, though totals will likely remain below long-term averages. The pattern shaping up, meteorologists say, will make for a “bookend winter” — with the biggest storms hitting around the beginning and end of the season, leaving a quieter, milder stretch in between.
For Lakewood and the surrounding region, that could mean a messy December and February, but relatively calm conditions through the heart of winter.
“The most significant storms are expected to occur during the opening and final weeks of the season,” said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s lead long-range meteorologist. “Some systems may bring a mix of rain and snow later in the season, which could keep totals below average even with more frequent storms.”
AccuWeather’s forecast paints a contrasting picture across the country. The Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast are likely to see stormy weather and occasional Arctic blasts, while the South and Gulf Coast could be warmer and drier than normal.
Cold air is expected to arrive early, settling across much of the central and eastern United States in December, before easing up briefly in January. But the reprieve won’t last long — forecasters expect a renewed surge of cold to spread eastward in February, possibly bringing one of the strongest cold snaps of the year.
Even though the New Jersey region could face multiple nor’easters, some storms may track close enough to the coast to bring sleet or rain instead of heavy snow — the kind of near-misses Garden State residents know well.
In short: expect more snow than last year, but not quite a winter wonderland — unless you happen to be caught in one of those early or late-season blasts.