January 2025 is shaping up to be a classic cold-weather month in New England, thanks to the re-emergence of a well-formed polar vortex over Canada. For the first time in years, this semi-permanent low-pressure system is holding steady, reinforcing a cold pattern across much of the Northeast. While winter lovers are rejoicing over the chill, snow lovers might be left wishing for more.
The first half of the month looks cold but relatively dry, with much of the storm activity confined to the mid-Atlantic. High-pressure ridging over the eastern Pacific is sending frigid air plunging southward, but this has left New England under drier conditions, with snow primarily limited to upslope events in the northern Greens and White Mountains. These regions will see steady accumulations from northwest flow, offering plenty of opportunities for ski and snowmobile enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, there’s hope for more widespread snow as the jet stream pattern begins to shift around the third or fourth week of January. This change could bring storm systems farther north, increasing the chance for significant snowfall in New England.
For Boston, the month is likely to stay colder than average, with normal highs of 36.8°F feeling like a distant memory. While precipitation totals may fall short of the monthly average of 3.39 inches, it’s still possible for some of that precipitation to fall as snow later in the month, helping to balance the snow totals.
Northern Vermont, particularly the northern Greens, will benefit from upslope snow, keeping snowfall totals near or above normal, even as much of New England sees below-average precipitation.
For now, winter lovers can enjoy the chill and keep an eye on updates for any changes in the storm track as we approach mid-January. Be sure to follow our weekly Pattern Predictions videos for a detailed two-week outlook, available on the free Noyes’ 1DegreeOutside Weather app and 1DegreeOutside.com.
