Spring is right around the corner, but don’t pack away those winter coats just yet—at least, not if you live in the north. A new report from AccuWeather says the shift to warm weather in 2026 is going to be a bumpy ride for a lot of Americans.
Depending on where you live, you might be dealing with lingering snow, sudden floods, or even early heat waves that will drive up your electric bill.
Let’s start with the cold news. If you are in the Northeast, the Great Lakes, or the Pacific Northwest, get comfortable. Experts say winter is going to hang around longer than usual. Paul Pastelok, a top forecaster at AccuWeather, warned that cold air is going to stay put, meaning you might still see frost or even late-season snow well into spring.
READ: Tampa Bay Forecast: Sunny Warm-Up Is Coming Before A Weekend Freeze
The bad news here isn’t just about shivering; it is about your wallet. After a harsh winter, having to keep the heat running later into the year is likely to keep those heating bills painfully high.
On the other side of the country, it is a totally different story. The Southwest, spanning from Southern California over to Texas, is expected to heat up fast.
While northerners are scraping ice, people in places like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dallas might be cranking up the air conditioning way earlier than normal. That means higher power bills there, too, but for the opposite reason. Temperatures in these areas are expected to be two to three degrees hotter than what people are usually used to for this time of year.
“The transition to warmer spring weather will be slower across the Northeast, Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest this year, compared to historical averages,” Pastelok said. “Warmer springlike weather is expected to arrive early this year across much of the Southwest, from Southern California to Texas.”
READ: Hillsborough County Emergency Shelters Open Tonight As Temps Plunge
The biggest danger this spring, however, isn’t the temperature. It is water. The middle of the country, specifically around the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, is looking at a serious risk of flooding.
Even though river levels are running a bit low right now, a dangerous mix of melting snow and heavy spring rain could change that very quickly. Forecasters are worried about slow-moving storms that dump huge amounts of rain in one spot, leading to flash floods that can catch communities off guard.
There is a little bit of good news mixed in with the bad. The forecasters think we will see fewer tornadoes this year compared to the incredibly destructive spring of 2025.
But that doesn’t mean the storms will be gentle. Instead of twisters, the main threats this year will be damaging straight-line winds and that heavy rain mentioned earlier. The storms might not spin as much, but they can still knock down power lines and cause chaos.
Finally, we have to talk about fire. In parts of the Southeast, Florida, and the mid-Atlantic, dry conditions are raising the alarm for wildfires.
There is a specific worry for the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Debris and downed trees left behind from Hurricane Helene are still on the ground, and that dried-out wood can act like fuel for fires if the weather gets breezy and warm.
Whether it is fire, flood, or frost, this spring looks like it is going to keep everyone on their toes.
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