The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its winter outlook on Oct. 15, giving propane dispatchers a broad seasonal signal. The outlook covers December 2026 through February 2027, favoring warmth across the northern United States and much of the East. Wetter-than-average conditions are favored across the southern tier, from the Southwest to the Southeast, and along the East Coast.
If you are setting truck availability and supply commitments, the map invites a tempting shortcut: assume fewer delivery demands wherever the shading runs warm. A seasonal average will not tell the dispatcher when the next keep-full delivery is due. That decision still needs the account’s usage record and current conditions.
NOAA’s next three-month outlook update is due November 19. Recheck the seasonal assumptions then before carrying them into winter staffing and dispatch plans.
Originally published on Propane Insider.