Weather for 2026/2027

[Airman68]

I'm no weatherman, don't shoot the messenger.

This morning I saw the first weather report looking ahead to the rest of this year. Looks like a El Nino is building again heading into summer/fall/winter. Looking at this chart, if you see the red in late 2023, this year will look similar. This could be a set up for another weak winter. I know it's weather and we are all pretty much done with snow for the year.

Maybe this discussion falls under the future of our sport, but... I wonder how many bad winters it will take to break the back of the snowmobile sport. Of course, for us diehards, probably not but the casual sledders will continue to drop off. I'll be honest, it's going to be an increasingly difficult decision to spend the better part of $20k for a sled I can only use 8-12 weeks a year vs a UTV for 8-10 mos of the year.

 

[dfattack]

I honestly don't care what the pattern is. it is what it's going to be. I will enjoy it when the snow shows up. This past winter I was able to ride twice and thank God for that! I put on over 1,000 miles in 5 days riding and considering my schedule that was an accomplishment. Last two winters I didn't even ride. I missed it of course but what can you do? Nothing any of us can do about the weather but be ready when the snow flies and enjoy it.

 

[euphoric1]

LOL!!! they have a pretty hard time with the day to day forecasts, almost ridiculous at times, let alone a seasonal forecast, I will wait and see, gives the so called professionals something to talk about and not admit to when they are totally wrong!! and as dfattack put it " I will enjoy when the snow shows up " with exception to this year, I have picked up and went when and where the snow is, even if the previous this years have had some pretty stellar rides, just had to go where the snow was and ride it when it was there. That is the true definition of "chasing snow" if there isn't snow at "point A" but there is at "point B" I'll go to "point B" I'm not going to let winter get away from me because I cant ride "point A"

 

[Airman68]

LOL!!! they have a pretty hard time with the day to day forecasts, almost ridiculous at times, let alone a seasonal forecast, I will wait and see, gives the so called professionals something to talk about and not admit to when they are totally wrong!! and as dfattack put it " I will enjoy when the snow shows up " with exception to this year, I have picked up and went when and where the snow is, even if the previous this years have had some pretty stellar rides, just had to go where the snow was and ride it when it was there. That is the true definition of "chasing snow" if there isn't snow at "point A" but there is at "point B" I'll go to "point B" I'm not going to let winter get away from me because I cant ride "point A"

100% agree. 40 years of chasing, the older I get the more tired of chasing I get, LOL. Every year it's the ups and downs of the weather and yeah, hard to predict tomorrow vs a year from now. We'll see what next season brings. I do miss John's winter forecasts. At least you knew he was a snow optimist. Most weather reporters look negatively on snow.

 

[euphoric1]

100% agree. 40 years of chasing, the older I get the more tired of chasing I get, LOL. Every year it's the ups and downs of the weather and yeah, hard to predict tomorrow vs a year from now. We'll see what next season brings. I do miss John's winter forecasts. At least you knew he was a snow optimist. Most weather reporters look negatively on snow.

I also agree with you, it may affect a few of us hardcore guys who are in it for long haul and are a little mor forgiving to when mother nature doesn't work in our way, but will really deter the ones who are new, or on the fence. Th industry as a whole needed the winter we had this past season, a repeat of it would be very helpful, another bad winter wont make up for the one good one we had. I'm hoping we have another like last but not going to dwell on what the outlook for next season is, FINGERS CROSSED for a repeat of 2026!!!

 

[hermie]

I like everyone else on this site will just wait and see and take it as it comes. El nino isn't a good word for winter lovers but some El nino have been really good snow producers and others not, like any winter pattern that sets up. Seems like the weather scientists or what ever you want to call them love to hear there own voices. They have come up with these big words for weather now days. Bob cyclone just a lower mb storm but now a big scary word for it. Polar Vortex or other words cold air from the North like we have always had. Seems like the more technology the more these guys are off with there forecast. It's crazy how much the forecast changes every 6 hours. I miss the good weather people who would take model runs but also used there own knowledge to decipher it all and give a little more accurate forecast then what we get today. Let's all chill enjoy the summer and we will see what winter brings in 9 months. This I know 6 months from now we will be getting winter predictions from every direction and most likely none of them will be correct.

 

[Airman68]

I was trying to remember which year it was. I think 2018 maybe? I had my old cabin in Wausaukee and I had to ride a road trail for a couple miles to get to the regular trail. That winter was cold and I remember the road being snow covered all winter. I wouldn't mind a little more central Wi snow but if next year is like this season, it will be a win.

 

[pclark]

I was trying to remember which year it was. I think 2018 maybe? I had my old cabin in Wausaukee and I had to ride a road trail for a couple miles to get to the regular trail. That winter was cold and I remember the road being snow covered all winter. I wouldn't mind a little more central Wi snow but if next year is like this season, it will be a win.

Yep, it was a good winter, we had snow here since Thanksgiving on the ground and still have it. Under a winter storm warning for late tonight into Thursday. Could be mixed with ice/rain, if all snow we'll get 10-12" and it will be heavy wet snow which we really don't need at this point. Lakes still have a good 2ft of ice but it is melting a little around the shorelines. I'm ready for Spring (kind of a season that doesn't really exist up here) just some nice sunny, calm, 50-60 degree days would be fine.

 

[heckler56]

I like everyone else on this site will just wait and see and take it as it comes. El nino isn't a good word for winter lovers but some El nino have been really good snow producers and others not, like any winter pattern that sets up. Seems like the weather scientists or what ever you want to call them love to hear there own voices. They have come up with these big words for weather now days. Bob cyclone just a lower mb storm but now a big scary word for it. Polar Vortex or other words cold air from the North like we have always had. Seems like the more technology the more these guys are off with there forecast. It's crazy how much the forecast changes every 6 hours. I miss the good weather people who would take model runs but also used there own knowledge to decipher it all and give a little more accurate forecast then what we get today. Let's all chill enjoy the summer and we will see what winter brings in 9 months. This I know 6 months from now we will be getting winter predictions from every direction and most likely none of them will be correct.

Weather terminology today is just baffling. Marginal means large hail, WTF. I think what we’re seeing is a generational change in Weather forecasting in terminology and trying to Tic Tok the “experience”. There’s more reliance on algorithms than on actual practical observations. Seeing as how there is a younger generation that has zero knowledge of the underlying attributes to the weather models and few with observational experience. Are the models learning and adapting, doubtful.

Weather patterns are changing and many of us are far removed from our ancestors who’s survival (farming) was dependent on self awareness of weather.

I believe John’s skills were top notch since he forecasted for companies around the globe giving him a wide depth of knowledge.

 

[whitedust]

Yep, it was a good winter, we had snow here since Thanksgiving on the ground and still have it. Under a winter storm warning for late tonight into Thursday. Could be mixed with ice/rain, if all snow we'll get 10-12" and it will be heavy wet snow which we really don't need at this point. Lakes still have a good 2ft of ice but it is melting a little around the shorelines. I'm ready for Spring (kind of a season that doesn't really exist up here) just some nice sunny, calm, 50-60 degree days would be fine.

I get it Paul April is terrible in Vilas restaurants, bars, motels are closed or closing so time to go south not a whole lot to do in the Northwoods and every significant April snow just delays Spring and the constructive things you need to do. I got fustrated with it year after year so filed my taxes and went to FL for a month. Good luck my friend you will figure it out.

 

[wiscrev]

I get it Paul April is terrible in Vilas restaurants, bars, motels are closed or closing so time to go south not a whole lot to do in the Northwoods and every significant April snow just delays Spring and the constructive things you need to do. I got fustrated with it year after year so filed my taxes and went to FL for a month. Good luck my friend you will figure it out.

I hate April with nothing open. Heck, I can't even go to my local watering hole because it is closed for most of April Destin, FL is the place for April.