Matt Makens, Meteorologist

La Niña is fading fast.
🌊 Neutral likely this spring
📈 El Niño odds surge by summer
🔥 El Niño favored into fall (~60%)
Why it matters:
Western U.S. snowpack is struggling right now, but winter 2026–27 could see storm tracks shift south, improving precipitation for the West.

Critical Fire Weather in the High Plains; Heavy Snow for the West and Northern Tier — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Critical fire danger spreads across the High Plains and Midwest while heavy mountain snow continues in the West. A storm brings snow from the Northern Plains to New England, and a coastal system could...

Fire danger rises across the High Plains 🔥
Heavy mtn snow continues in the Sierra & Rockies ❄️
Snow spreads from the Northern Plains to New England 🌨
A possible coastal storm for the Mid-Atlantic & Northeast this weekend. Colder air follows next week.

Some snowfall visuals for the season to date. The West is having quite a fall this winter. The East is having a true winter. Quite the visual isn't it.?!🤬

Snow flurries up in Fort Collins this morning. Tuesday 930 am #cowx

Major Winter Storm Impacts California, Alaska, and the Northeast — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A stormy week ahead with heavy Sierra snow, Alaska blizzard conditions, and a Northeast clipper system. A new system could bring rain and wintry weather to the East by the weekend.

3 major weather stories this week:
🌨️ Heavy Sierra snow & CA rain
❄️ Northeast clipper brings quick-hit snow
🌬️ Blizzard in Alaska
➡️ Weekend: Rain for the South, possible wintry mix East. Stay alert.

#WeatherWatch

Arctic Blast Grips Florida as Snow Returns to the Northern U.S. — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Extreme cold stretches into Florida this week as Alberta clippers bring light snow to the Northern U.S. A second wave of arctic air returns to the East by the weekend.

Extreme cold reaches Florida while Alberta clippers bring snow to the North. Another arctic surge is set for the East Coast this weekend. Bitter temps & snow squalls ahead! #WeatherWatch

East Coast Winter Storm & Arctic Cold Sweep U.S. This Weekend — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Dangerous cold continues across the eastern U.S. this week with another Arctic surge on the way. A potential East Coast winter storm could bring heavy snow this weekend.

Frigid cold for the eastern U.S. with another Arctic surge late week. Temps could break records, even in FL! 🥶
A weekend snowstorm could impact the East Coast with heavy snow and coastal hazards. 🌨

#WinterStorm #ArcticBlast #WeatherUpdate

Heavy Great Lakes Snow Now, Major Winter Storm Threat Late Week into the Weekend — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Lake-effect snow continues in the Great Lakes through midweek, followed by dangerous Arctic cold. A widespread winter storm could bring heavy snow and ice from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic ...

Lake-effect snow continues near the Great Lakes midweek. Dangerous cold follows. A potentially major winter storm may bring snow and ice from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic Friday into the weekend. Travel impacts likely. ❄️

Unseasonably Warm Start, Then Wintry Pattern Returns for Midwest and East — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Unusual warmth continues across much of the U.S. early this week before colder air returns midweek, bringing snow and mixed precipitation to the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Appalachians.

Unseasonably warm weather fades fast. ❄️
Cold air and snow return to the Great Lakes & Midwest midweek, with strong winds late week in the Plains.
Winter still has a say.

#WeeklyWeatherWatch

Snowfall to date has been lacking across most of the country. Through 7am (Mountain Time) Friday morning, the maps here show the '25-'26 season totals so far, and the difference from average in two ways: how many inches from average is the total, and what percentage of average.

#snowdrought #snow

Heavy Snow in the Northwest and Icy Mix for Northeast as Big Warm-Up Expands — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Wintry weather brings heavy mountain snow to the Northwest and a freezing rain threat from the Great Lakes to New England, while record warmth surges into the Plains and Southeast through the weekend.

🚨 Heads up!
❄️ Heavy mountain snow in the NW
🌧️ Icy mix from the Great Lakes to New England
🔥 Record warmth for the Central & Eastern U.S.
⚠️ Flooding risk Friday in the TN Valley
Stay weather-aware → #WeatherUpdate

With 6.8" on the season so far, Denver is officially woefully behind in snowfall - currently the 6th least snowy season to date on record since 1882. This 2026 snowfall season trails 1882, 1889, 2011, 1891, and 1945.

Winter weather may have a window around Jan 8–10, but models are still bouncing around with the cutoff low track.
Low–medium confidence for now — stay tuned as the pattern firms up. ❄️

Look up tonight! 🌕 The 2026 #WolfMoon is here, and it’s a Supermoon!

✨ Why it’s special: 1️⃣ It’s closer to Earth than average. 2️⃣ It’s paired with a bright Jupiter. 3️⃣ It coincides with Perihelion (Earth’s closest point to the Sun).

Peak fullness: Jan 3 @ 10:03 UTC. Don’t miss it! 🔭

#Astronomy

January 2026 Weather Outlook: Warm West, Late-Month Cold Risks, and a Wildly Variable Pattern. Any signs of a stretched PV this month? 🧐->

www.makensweather.com/monthly-outl...

2025 included the 2nd warmest December in the Denver Area's recorded history, with snowfall of 6.6" on the month being just shy of average.

#heatwave #denvercolorado #denver #colorado #december

Winter Hits Hard: Lake-Effect Snow, Arctic Blast, and Soaking Rains Ahead — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Heavy lake-effect snow, Arctic cold, and Southern California flooding highlight a busy start to the new year. Get the latest 7-day U.S. weather breakdown.

🚨 Wild weather week ahead:
• 3+ ft lake-effect snow near Erie & Ontario
• Freeze hits Florida
• SoCal faces flash flooding risk
Stay alert through Jan 6.
#ONStorm #SoCalWeather #WinterStorm

Holiday Features Flood Threat in California, Snow for the Northeast, & Record Warmth for the Plains — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A major storm will bring heavy rain and flooding to California, holiday travel delays due to snow in the Northeast, and record warmth and fire danger to parts of the Plains.

🚨 Holiday week weather risks:
☔ California: Flooding from atmospheric river
❄️ Northeast: Snow & ice disrupt travel
🔥 Plains: Record warmth, fire danger
Heads up before heading out! #WeatherWatch #HolidayStorm

www.makensweather.com/weekly-weath...

Is a White Christmas on your wish list this year? 🌨️ Take a look at my 2025 White Christmas Outlook to see where snow will be on the ground Christmas morning.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a truly wonderful Christmas!

#ChristmasForecast #WhiteChristmas2025 #WeatherWatch #HappyHolidays

Heavy Rain, Snow, and Flood Threat for the West; East Warms Up — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A series of storms brings flooding rain and mountain snow to the Northwest, while the East thaws under a winter warm-up. Here’s what to expect through next week.

🚨 This week brings a stormy parade to the West with flood risks and mountain snow & a significant winter storm across the Canadian Prairies. Meanwhile, the Central U.S. warms up big time—with highs 15–25°F above normal. Stay updated. #WeatherWatch

Heavy Rain and Snow for the Northwest, Arctic Blast for the Midwest This Week — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A prolonged atmospheric river brings days of heavy rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, while an Alberta Clipper delivers snow and arctic cold to the Midwest and Great Lakes. Flash freezes and ...

Big weather week ahead:
🌧️ Flooding rains – Pacific NW
❄️ Snow & wind – Midwest/Great Lakes
🧊 Flash freeze – Saskatchewan
🥶 Arctic cold – Wind chills below -20°F in Upper Midwest by weekend
#WeatherWatch #WinterStorm #ColdSnap

Major Winter Storm to Impact Central and Eastern U.S. This Week — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A powerful storm system brings heavy rain, wintry mix, and the season’s first Nor’easter to parts of the U.S. this week. Travel disruptions and hazardous weather expected.

Heads up! 🚨
This week’s storm brings:
🌧️ Heavy rain & t-storms in the South
❄️ Snow/ice Midwest → New England
🌵 Drought easing in the West

Weekly Weather Watch →
#Weather #NorEaster #Drought

Thanksgiving Week Weather: Snowstorm Hits North, Severe Storms Roll Across the South — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A major winter storm brings heavy snow to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, while severe storms sweep the Deep South and Southeast. A cold blast follows into the holiday weekend.

A coast-to-coast storm hits this week:
🌨️ Heavy snow & wind in the Upper Midwest
🌪️ Severe storms in the Deep South
🌬️ Arctic air follows by Thanksgiving
🚘 Travel delays likely — plan ahead!
#ThanksgivingWeather #WinterStorm

Stormy Southwest, Record Warmth in the South — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A storm brings rain, mountain snow, and isolated flooding to the Southwest through midweek. Meanwhile, record warmth surges across the South with more rain into the weekend.

A storm system brings heavy rain and mountain snow to the Southwest through midweek. Isolated flooding possible in southern California. Record warmth stretches across the South. Another round of storms returns by Sunday. #WeatherWatch

🥶 First winter chill incoming!
Early next week brings freezing temps to the Gulf Coast, record lows, and lake effect snow for the Great Lakes.
Out West, a Pacific storm may bring an atmospheric river to N. California by midweek. 🌨️🌊

#Weather #WinterChill

Atmospheric River Brings Heavy Rain to California; Arctic Chill Next Week — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A strong Pacific storm will drench Northern California through midweek. An Arctic front follows this weekend with much colder air and a wintry mix for parts of the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Northern...

🚨 Atmospheric river slams into Northern California with heavy rain & snow. Arctic front dives south this weekend bringing a wintry mix to the Great Lakes & Northeast.
🇨🇦 Wind & snow warnings in BC, Alberta, & Nova Scotia. #WeatherWatch

Cooler Air and Coastal Storms Lead Weather Headlines Across the U.S. This Week — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A dynamic weather pattern brings soaking rain to the East, snow to the Northwest, and record heat relief to the South. Plus, Hurricane Melissa targets the Caribbean.

⚠️ This week:
– Heavy rain soaks the Appalachians
– Gusty winds in the Carolinas
– Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica & Cuba
– Snow returns to the Northwest
– Much cooler air spreads across the East
#Weather #HurricaneMelissa #FallWeather

Stormy Week Ahead: Tropical Threat in Caribbean, Rain and Snow in U.S. — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting Stormy stretch ahead for the U.S. with showers, mountain snow, and tropical storm Melissa developing in the Caribbean. Learn what to expect this week from coast to coast.

From lake-effect storms in the Great Lakes to a growing flood risk in the Southern Plains, and Tropical Storm Melissa swirling in the Caribbean—there’s a lot happening this week. Here’s your U.S. weather heads-up. 🌧️❄️🔥🌀
#WeatherWatch #TropicalStormMelissa

Stormy Week for the West: Heavy Rain and Mountain Snow on the Move — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A strong Pacific storm brings heavy rain and high-elevation snow to the western U.S., while another system heads for the Plains and East by the weekend. Tropical Storm Lorenzo spins in the Atlantic bu...

🌧️ Flash flooding possible in #SoCal and the #SouthernRockies
🌨️ Heavy snow in the Sierra today, Rockies tomorrow
🌬️ Widespread rain moves east by the weekend
⚠️ New Pacific storm next week
#WeatherWatch #FallWeather

Rainy Week Ahead: Flood Threats for Ohio Valley, Desert Southwest & Coastal Storm Possible East — Makens Weather – Expert Weather & Climate Consulting A soggy pattern stretches across the U.S. this week, with heavy rain and flash flood risks in the Ohio Valley, New Mexico, and possible Nor’easter development near the Mid-Atlantic. Warmth hangs on in...

Heavy rain targets KY, OH, and NM today with flash flooding possible. Tropical Storm Jerry eyes the Leeward Islands, and a Nor’easter could brew near the East Coast by the weekend. Big changes ahead—stay alert! #WeatherWatch