Winter storm season is upon us and with two big ones threatening Thanksgiving week, homeowners should be aware of what’s to come.
For a 14th year, The Weather Channel has announced its winter storm names for the 2025-26 season. While the National Weather Service participates in naming tropical storms and hurricanes each year, TWC names blizzards and other winter weather events for public awareness.
Here are the potential names that could pop up this season, as well as what the forecast looks like for the U.S. this winter.
The winter storm names for 2025-26
The Weather Channel explains it will name any “high-impact winter storm with significant snow and/or ice affecting at least one, if not multiple, regions of the country.”
Starting with Alston, the outlet has designated 26 names in total for the upcoming season for blizzards, snowstorms, and other winter events. Lake-effect snowstorms and pure arctic cold outbreaks are not included when naming storms.
The full list of names:
Alston
Bellamy
Chan
Devin
Ezra
Fern
Gianna
Hernando
Iona
Joseline
Kadence
Louise
Maizie
Nell
Obie
Peyton
Quigley
Rodrigo
Santiago
Tyrese
Ulma
Viviana
Wolfgang
Ximena
Yashi
Zeb
November is the most common starting point for the winter weather season and while there will be active storm systems across the country over Thanksgiving, none of them have been dubbed a name as of yet.
Named winter storms are most frequent from late January through February, according to The Weather Channel.
Outlook for the winter season
Though just beginning, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has already shared its predictions for the coming winter months.
It predicts states in the Appalachians, Southeast, and Ohio Valley should expect colder-than-average conditions.
While snow is in the forecast, greater amounts are headed toward the southern Rockies, eastern Ohio Valley, and even the Carolinas. But areas like Florida, the Intermountain West, and eastern Desert Southwest should expect a wetter season too. “Don’t lose track of your snow shovels and umbrellas,” said editor Carol Connare.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has also shared its outlook for this winter (December 2025–February 2026). According to its forecast, La Niña is expected to continue into the season, though it will likely shift to a neutral pattern by early 2026 (61% chance). For places like the Upper Mississippi River Valley, this means winter weather could be unpredictable, with temperatures and precipitation varying widely.
Prepping your home for the winter months
No matter the forecast for where you live in the country, it’s a good idea to take care of a few projects before winter settles in in earnest.
A top priority is ensuring that your pipes don’t freeze. Homeowners may not realize that the risk of frozen pipes is actually highest in southern areas, where colder temps are less common and pipes are less likely to have the insulation needed to protect them from bursting.
A few simple precautions—like draining exterior hoses, closing foundation vents and wrapping pipes in foam insulation—can keep you from a costly repair.
Other important tasks include checking the insulation in your attic to keep heat in, cleaning your oven to avoid a fire, and clearing out the gutters to avoid ice dams. Check out the Realtor.com® full checklist of end of the year repairs for more ideas.