The unexpected warmth inside is hidden by the bitter winter chill. Although meteorological winter officially concludes in February, it is crucial to acknowledge that snowfall can persist well into the spring months. Any additional snow in March and April will not be included in winter totals but will instead contribute to spring snowfall records, which can still have a significant impact.
A La Niña winter traditionally brings warmer-than-average temperatures in the southern U.S., drier conditions in the West, and colder, stormier weather in the northern parts of the country. However, an in-depth analysis of the 2024-2025 winter revealed that the weather defied some of these typical patterns. While most of the country experienced temperatures close to the average, regions spanning from the Southwest to Texas encountered above-normal temperatures, with some of the warmest readings nationwide.
Usually, El Niño events, the opposite of La Niña, bring snow to the Southeast. Surprisingly this year, cities in the Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic regions reported snowfall above the average, a trend more commonly linked with El Niño years. In California, La Niña weather patterns typically result in dry conditions in the southern part of the state, leading to increased wildfire activity above average, while the northern half often faces flooding, as was the case this season.
In early January, wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed over 12,000 structures, causing widespread devastation and numerous casualties. The fires were challenging to contain due to powerful Santa Ana winds, occurring at a time when other regions of the country were undergoing significant temperature drops.
