The winter season will be shorter and milder across the Central Appalachians region, with less precipitation falling as snow and reduced snow cover and depth.

A variety of models project that an increasing amount of winter precipitation will be delivered as rain, more snow will melt between snowfall events, and the snowpack will not be as deep or consistent. In areas near Lake Erie, projected increases in air temperatures are expected to drive decreases in ice cover duration and extent on the Great Lakes, potentially allowing increased winter evaporation and the potential for increased lake-effect snow.