MoCoSnow is continuing to monitor and compare winter forecasts from the major local television stations. So far, we’ve looked at FOX 5, and NBC4. WUSA9 meteorologist Topper Shutt and the weather team has released their winter outlook for the 2025–2026 season, offering a prediction that places much of the region, including Montgomery County, near or slightly above average snowfall.
This year’s projection from WUSA9 is heavily influenced by an expected La Niña pattern. According to the WUSA9 weather team, La Niña winters typically lean warmer than normal in the Mid-Atlantic, and that trend is supported by long-term data. Snowfall, however, still remains possible during La Niña winters, especially during moderate La Niña phases, which historically have averaged close to 15 inches at National Airport.
Shutt’s snowfall predictions for this season call for 16 inches at National Airport, matching the region’s standard of a near-average winter. Dulles Airport is forecast to receive 24 inches, compared to its average of 21 inches. Rockville is projected to see 21 inches, which aligns exactly with its long-term average. In Hagerstown, WUSA9 forecasts 32 inches, just below the typical 33 inches for that area.
WUSA9’s regional snowfall map places most of Montgomery County in the 10-20 inch range, with the other half in the 20-30’inch range. Higher totals are expected farther northwest and lighter snowfall totals likely closer to Washington, D.C., and southern Maryland. The station is also predicting the first measurable snowfall of the season to arrive on December 12, which falls within the typical historical window and earlier than what residents experienced during several recent low-snow years. The full outlook can be seen here.
