What’s winter like, and how do we make the most of it?

Winter in Chicago, Boston and New York is properly cold, with snow most years and wind that makes it feel colder still. In Miami, Los Angeles and Austin it’s mild and sunny. Indoors, though, most American homes are warm, and renters in the big northern cities have a legal right to heat.

How cold does it get?

These are NOAA’s January averages for 1991 to 2020, with average yearly snowfall. Cold snaps go far lower, and the wind chill makes it feel colder still.

The wind chill is how cold it feels on bare skin. At 0°F (−18°C) with a 15 mph wind, the wind chill is −19°F (−28°C), and exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes. Buy a proper winter coat, hat, gloves and waterproof boots once you arrive: the shops stock them for the local climate.

Snow days and warnings

The NWS issues a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow, sleet or ice, a Blizzard Warning for strong winds with blowing snow and near-zero visibility, and an Ice Storm Warning when around a quarter of an inch of ice is expected, which brings down trees and power lines. Each local NWS office sets its own thresholds, so the snow that triggers a warning in Chicago is more than in a city that sees less snow. Some districts, such as New York City’s, may switch to remote lessons on snow days instead of closing.

• Keep a few days of food, water, medicines, torches and batteries at home in case of a power cut
• Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, and keep outside vents clear of snow
• Snow on the pavement outside a building is usually the owner’s job, not the city’s. In New York City, owners must clear it within 4 hours of snow stopping in the daytime. If you rent a house, check your lease
• Shovelling heavy snow is hard work: take it slowly, especially if you have heart problems

Driving in winter

The NWS says more than 5,000 people a year die in weather-related crashes on US roads. Slow down: roads that look wet may be icy. Clear all the snow off your car before you set off, keep the tank at least half full, and carry a winter kit: blankets, a torch, water, snacks, a phone charger, an ice scraper and a small shovel. If you skid, ease off the accelerator and steer where you want the front of the car to go; with ABS, press the brake firmly and don’t pump it. Call 511 or check your state’s 511 website for road conditions before a long trip. In California, mountain roads to the ski areas can have chain controls, and Caltrans advises carrying chains that fit your tyres. See driving for licences and insurance.

Heating: your rights and the bills

Who pays for heating depends on your lease: it may be included in the rent, or you may pay the gas or electricity bill yourself. The US Energy Information Administration expects bills this winter to move in different directions: down about 9% for homes heated by natural gas, up about 4% for the 40% of homes heated by electricity, and up about 21% for the 3% using heating oil, mostly in the Northeast. Ask which fuel heats a home before you sign. See renting a home.

Autumn colours

“Fall” is a big event in the Northeast. In early October 2026, New York State’s weekly foliage report showed peak colour in parts of the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Finger Lakes and other regions. Reports come out every Wednesday, based on more than 100 volunteer observers. New England and the Hudson Valley are within a weekend’s reach of Boston and New York; book accommodation early for October weekends. See weekends away.

Skiing and snow sports

Vermont’s ski areas are within a drive of Boston and New York, and Lake Tahoe’s resorts are a drive from San Francisco. The early-purchase prices for the big multi-resort season passes ended on 7 October 2026 for Epic and 8 October for Ikon, so expect to pay more now. The FCDO advises making sure your insurance covers winter sports, including mountain rescue. Prices change

Clocks and the flu jab

US clocks go back on Sunday 1 November 2026 and forward on Sunday 14 March 2027. The UK changes on 25 October and 28 March, so for about a week in autumn and two weeks in spring the time gap to home is one hour shorter than usual. Plan calls home around it.

The CDC still recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone from 6 months old. For 2026–27 its 2025 recommendations carry over because of a court ruling about the federal vaccine advisory committee, so the position may change: check the CDC page. Ask your doctor or pharmacy, and see healthcare and insurance.