As winter approaches, Maryland residents can expect more than just chilly temperatures. According to local meteorologist Justin Berk, the 2025–2026 winter season could deliver a notably snowier stretch, with several regions of the state bracing for higher-than-usual snowfall totals. Berk’s predictions, driven by a blend of data analysis and long-term pattern tracking, stand in contrast to many other winter outlooks that forecast milder conditions.
Berk, a former broadcast meteorologist with ABC2 News in Baltimore and the face behind the Just In Weather brand, has built a dedicated following across the Mid-Atlantic for his local, community-focused weather outlooks. His 2025–2026 forecast, released earlier this week, suggests that this winter could break Maryland’s ongoing snow drought.
An Active Winter Season
Justin Berk’s outlook centers around the idea that, despite a typical La Niña pattern, this winter will bring more snow than many other forecasters predict. La Niña winters generally shift the jet stream northward, often resulting in warmer and drier conditions for parts of the Mid-Atlantic. However, Berk argues that this particular La Niña will be weak and that local atmospheric conditions will create the ideal circumstances for stronger storms.
According to the local meteorologist, weak La Niña patterns can still allow for significant Pacific storm development, which may shift toward the East Coast. This could bring heavier-than-expected snowfall, particularly for areas west of the Chesapeake Bay. The last time Maryland experienced multiple major snowstorms in a single winter was in 2010, when three blizzards dropped over 77 inches of snow. Since then, snow levels have been far more inconsistent, and much lower in recent years.
Berk’s predictions also reflect broader shifts in atmospheric patterns. For example, he points to the weak polar vortex expected this winter, which allows for Arctic air to surge further south, sometimes bringing significant cold and snow. This could enhance conditions for snowstorms, particularly for higher elevations.
Regional Snowfall Forecasts
The predictions offer a broad range of snowfall estimates across the state, depending on local geography and proximity to coastal influences. The higher mountains of Western Maryland, along with regions like Allegheny Ridge, are expected to see the heaviest snowfalls. Meanwhile, areas closer to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. could see between 20 and 30 inches of snow, which is considered near average, but could also be up to 50% higher than usual if storm tracks are favorable.
Even areas typically less prone to heavy snow, like Annapolis and the Delmarva Peninsula, may see up to 20 inches of snow this winter, according to Berk’s forecast. The potential for significant snow in these traditionally milder areas highlights the scope of Berk’s prediction, which contrasts with other outlooks suggesting lower snowfall amounts across the region.
While forecasts like his provide an educated estimate, the nature of winter weather is unpredictable. He compares the process to the preseason rankings of professional sports teams, where no one can say for certain how the season will unfold. The prediction, while based on sound analysis, is ultimately a suggestion, one that he hopes will lead to the snowstorm his son has been waiting for.
