If you’ve been wondering if Rockford is in for a tough winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration just dropped its 2025-2026 Winter Weather Outlook, and it looks like northern Illinois might be looking at a wetter season than usual.
How La Niña Could Shape Rockford’s Winter
The three-month forecast is heavily influenced by a La Niña pattern brewing in the Pacific Ocean. It’s a setup that could bend the jet stream north before sending storm systems barreling back toward the Midwest. When that happens, it means more snow and more storms for Rockford and the rest of northern Illinois.
Rockford Lands in the “Above-Average Precipitation” Zone
According to the NOAA, the Rockford area is situated in the ‘above-average precipitation’ zone. That zone includes all of the Land of Lincoln as well as Wisconsin and Indiana. What that means is we could probably see a few extra inches of snow or typical messy winter…..