Soo Line: Another Fearless Forecast: What to Expect This Winter

by SOO Greiman  

Look, fall is fall in Iowa. Lots of beautiful changing leaves, some crisp days and nights, high school football games (more fun when your team’s like Hudson’s was). For the most part, September, October, and November were a slow, comfortable ride into chilly—and now cold— air.  

You know what’s coming. Still, it’s understandable that you probably haven’t been thinking ahead to winter since we’ve been seeing more than our share of temps in the 50s, 60s, and even a few moments in the 70s lately. Still, I bet I don’t have to remind you: as we leave November and slide into December, winter is definitely on the way.  

Just so you can see I know what I’m talking about, here’s an important date: the first day of winter (Winter Solstice) is Sunday, December 21, 2025.  

But keep in mind that wintertime—especially here in the Corn State—can be wildly different from one year to the next. Knowing that, let me share a few forecasts for the upcoming freezing season we’ll soon be facing.  

The lengths I went to in developing this prediction included applying all the weather-wise smarts I got from spending a semester in a meteorology class at ISU, which I combined with winter details from The Old Farmer’s Almanac and The Farmers’ Almanac. I also chatted  with a couple of old farmers. Here, once again, is my personal “2025–26 Winter Forecast for  Iowa from an Old Farmer.”  

Let me say I appreciated how The Farmers’ Almanac gently categorized Iowa as being “poised for a classic winter wonderland.” Translated, that means it’s going to be very cold, we’ll get lots of snow, and it’ll be delivered during frigid cold snaps that promise to chill us to the  bone throughout January, February, and early March.  

The Old Farmer’s Almanac took it a step further, starting with this dramatic warning:  “Chill, Snow, Repeat. That’s what’s ahead for Iowa. All residents, whether they are from the north, south, east or west of the state, will experience frequent snowstorms and below average temperatures. Be ready. It appears Winter will be spanking you.”  As for the old farmers I consulted? They didn’t offer much in the way of upcoming  weather. All they wanted to talk about were those *&$! tariffs, the price of soybeans, the  consequences of importing Brazilian beef, the low price of corn, the high cost of farm  equipment, and how pricey fertilizer has become.  

Now it’s my turn. Here’s my best advice/prediction for what our soon-to-arrive winter will hold:  

Flip a coin.  

Heads, it’ll be miserable.  

Tails, it won’t be too bad.  

Either way, it’s Iowa. Our weather changes frequently. I feel the need to caution you— my prediction may not be very accurate.  

Nationally, everyone will experience a weather smorgasbord, except for Arizona and Florida. Those two states—because of the thousands of people wintering there—I predict will  be: sunny, pleasant, and expensive.  

Happy winter to you! As hearty Iowans smack-dab in the middle of God’s country, we’ll get through it. Let’s look on the bright side: only 99 days until spring arrives, on March 20.