Meteorologists are warning of a volatile, storm-packed winter for large swaths of the United States, with blizzards, deep freezes, and even a risk of fire danger.

The first signs of trouble could arrive as early as December 1, the start of meteorological winter, when a blast of cold air is expected to sweep across the Great Lakes and Midwest, triggering early snowstorms and lake-effect snow squalls.

'It can be an intense stormy winter for areas of the country, particularly across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Northeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic,' warned Paul Pastelok, Lead Long-Range Meteorologist for AccuWeather.

Forecasters say Buffalo, New York could receive up to 100 inches of snow, returning to its historical average after a lighter winter last year.

The first wave of storms will track in from Canada, sweeping through the Midwest and into the Northeast, where some could evolve into powerful nor'easters.

After a possible midseason thaw in January, the storm track is expected to shift again, with late-winter systems arriving from the Plains and Mississippi Valley.

These storms will barrel eastward, bringing renewed snow, ice, and frigid temperatures to the Appalachian region, Midwest, and Northeast.

Heavy snowfall and freezing rain shut down roads and caused power outages to nearly 100,000 residents in New Jersey on January 21, 2024

Meteorologists are warning of a volatile, storm-packed winter for large swaths of the United States, with blizzards, icy nor'easters, deep freezes, and even a risk of fire danger (pictured: A house completely covered in ice after snowfall on December 26, 2022)

Forecasters say Buffalo, New York could receive up to 100 inches of snow, returning to its historical average after a lighter winter last year

Cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston could all see more snow than last year, though totals may still fall short of historical norms due to occasional warm-ups and rain-snow mixes.

The early arrival of snow could provide a promising start for ski resorts, especially in the Rockies and Northeast. But Pastelok warns that a midseason lull could disrupt operations in areas that fail to build a deep base.

'A resurgence of storms in late winter and early spring may provide a late-season boon for skiers,' he added noting how the back half of winter could prove more productive for snowpack than the middle of winter.

The long-range forecast is especially ominous for residents of the Plains and Midwest, where persistent cold is expected to grip the region throughout much of December and February.

'Cold will take hold early in December before easing in January, when a brief thaw is likely,' said Pastelok. 'With the absence of an arctic dry air mass, there may be more opportunities for snow.'

But when winter returns in February, it could return with a vengeance driven by a possible southward shift in the polar vortex, unleashing some of the coldest air of the season across North America.

For millions, that could mean soaring heating bills and hazardous road conditions, especially in cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.

While the southern US will largely escape the worst of the snow, it's not expected to stay completely quiet.

A sheriff vehicle sits along a road as snow falls in Paxton, Florida on January 21, 2025

A marine heat wave in the Pacific Ocean has created a warm, dry barrier that could block crucial storms from reaching California and the Southwest

The Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast are likely to experience above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation

The Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast are likely to experience above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation - but that doesn't mean they're in the clear.

'Warm water in the Gulf could fuel severe thunderstorms,' Pastelok warned. 'Rain that does fall could be accompanied by damaging winds, lightning and tornadoes.'

There's still a lurking threat that a major blast of Arctic air could sweep deep into Texas and the Gulf Coast in late January or early February raising the risk of a sudden snow or ice event, similar to the devastating freeze that crippled Texas in 2021.

On the West Coast, the forecast is no less dramatic.

A marine heat wave in the Pacific Ocean has driven sea surface temperatures far above normal, creating a warm, dry barrier that could block crucial storms from reaching California and the Southwest.

'These waters off the West Coast and extending farther out are very, very important going into our [winter] forecast this year,' said Pastelok.

'If sea surface temperatures remain above normal just off the West Coast for much of the winter season, temperature departures can be even higher and precipitation much lower.'

That means worsening drought for California, Nevada, and Arizona, with the risk of out-of-season wildfires climbing as vegetation dries out.

While the southern US will largely escape the worst of the snow, it's not expected to stay completely quiet. Pictured, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last January

The long-range forecast is especially ominous for residents of the Plains and Midwest, where persistent cold is expected to grip the region throughout much of December and February.

New York City had a particularly mild winter last year with 12.9 inches of snowfall, about half of its usual 25.9-inch average

While the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies may still pick up some snowpack in December, the number of atmospheric river events is projected to be lower than last year.

'If the pattern becomes quite amplified then near-record highs are possible,' Pastelok said, especially in California and the Southwest.

Typically, long-range forecasts rely heavily on the presence of El Niño or La Niña patterns in the Pacific. This year, neither has fully developed - but the atmosphere is already behaving as though La Niña-like influences are in play.

'La Niña may not officially develop this winter,' Pastelok explained. 'But there could be times during the season when the weather patterns act the way they do when La Niña is occurring.'

That includes the warmer and drier southern US, the colder and snowier Midwest, and a storm track favoring late-season activity in the East.

Forecasters warn of stormy winter set to hit much of the US