What NOAA's three-month outlook says about precipitation—not a ski-season forecast.

The current CPC outlook classifies broad precipitation probabilities at a fixed set of U.S. catalogued map locations. It is useful seasonal context, not a promise about snow at a mountain.

CPC three-month probabilityU.S. source coverage onlyNo snow or conditions claim

This source does not support a high-confidence season-wide promise. It does not predict snowfall, storms, base depth, powder days, lift operations, roads, terrain, or whether a mountain will be ready to ski.

Current CPC source window

DJF 2026-2027 · Dec 2026–Feb 2027

CPC issued this outlook on August 20, 2026. It remains visible only through its source-owned review boundary of September 17, 2026.

11above-normal probability locations

1below-normal probability locations

116 of 128 catalogued U.S. map locations show no enhanced precipitation probabilityat the CPC baseline or equal-chances level

Source watchlist

Where this source sees the strongest precipitation tilt

For DJF 2026-2027, CPC assigns a 50% chance of its above-normal precipitation category at these fixed catalogued map locations. That is the highest current above-normal category probability in this fixed catalog—not a ranking of snow, conditions, or ski-season quality.

Big Bear Mountain ResortCA · Sierra
Mountain HighCA · Sierra
Snow ValleyCA · Sierra

A 50% above-normal category still leaves 50% across CPC's other two precipitation categories. Treat it as broad seasonal context, then switch to the current 15-day snow signal and direct operator notices closer to a trip.

Read this first

A category probability is not a mountain-level weather prediction.

CPC divides the three-month period into above-normal, near-normal, and below-normal precipitation categories. A source probability of 33% does not clear an enhanced category threshold, even when an underlying polygon is labelled above or below normal.

We only highlight a CPC Above or Below category at 40% or higher. Everything else remains a no-enhanced- probability result rather than being amplified into a snow or quality claim.

Higher category probability

Above-normal precipitation probability

CPC favors above-normal precipitation at these catalogued map locations.

Angel Fire ResortNM · Southwest40% CPC category probability
Big Bear Mountain ResortCA · Sierra50% CPC category probability
Blue MountainPA · Mid-Atlantic40% CPC category probability
CamelbackPA · Mid-Atlantic40% CPC category probability
China PeakCA · Sierra40% CPC category probability
Dodge RidgeCA · Sierra40% CPC category probability
Mountain HighCA · Sierra50% CPC category probability
SipapuNM · Southwest40% CPC category probability
Ski ApacheNM · Southwest40% CPC category probability
Ski Santa FeNM · Southwest40% CPC category probability
Snow ValleyCA · Sierra50% CPC category probability

Lower category probability

Below-normal precipitation probability

CPC favors below-normal precipitation at these catalogued map locations.

Whitefish Mountain ResortMT · Northern Rockies40% CPC category probability

Bring the horizon closer

Use a broad source now, then switch to direct and short-range sources.

This page never promotes a seasonal probability into a purchase, destination, or ski-day decision. For a near-term planning cue, use the independent 15-day model-signal map only when its own source is current; otherwise use its permanent reading guide. For operations, use direct operator notices.

Read the 15-day map guide →Open direct resort notices →

Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center seasonal precipitation outlook. CPC seasonal outlook documentation · CPC GIS source service