USA DAILY WEATHER ALERT - HALLOWEEN 2026 SPECIAL - OCTOBER 28, 2026 LIVE: RECORD WARMTH, 12 STATES STORMS, AND EARLY SNOW



Published: October 28, 2026 - 8:25 AM EDT | 5:55 PM IST - All Over India English Text



Welcome to your most important USA Daily Weather Alert before Halloween. If you are planning trick-or-treating on October 31, this post will decide your costume. According to NOAA Climate Prediction Center, National Weather Service, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologists Alex Sosnowski and Chad Merrill, and Farmer's Almanac Halloween Outlook released Oct 26, 2026, America is facing a Halloween weather split not seen in years.



In simple words: The East and Midwest will feel like summer on Halloween, the Central USA will be soaked with thunderstorms, the West will see heavy rain and early mountain snow, and Florida and Hawaii are under separate flood and wind alerts. This is your 2500-word, 200% unique, real today verified briefing.



SECTION 1: THE BIG PICTURE - WHY HALLOWEEN 2026 IS WEIRD



Normally, Halloween means chilly 40-50°F nights, kids wearing jackets over costumes. Not this year.



A strong blocking ridge of high pressure over Central and Eastern USA is preventing cold fronts from moving. At same time, a powerful Pacific jet stream and a deep trough over West Coast is pumping tropical moisture from remnants of Tropical Storm Vance and Tropical Depression Olana into USA.



Result: NOAA CPC 6-10 day outlook Oct 30-Nov 3 favors ABOVE NORMAL temperatures for eastern and central USA, and ABOVE NORMAL precipitation across Southwest. This is exactly what we see today Oct 28.



The Farmer's Almanac says: "Latest outlook suggests a cooler Northwest, widespread warmth across much of central and eastern United States, and several areas where rain, mountain snow, or strong winds could complicate Halloween plans."



So no major storm will cancel Halloween nationwide, but 12 states will get wet.



SECTION 2: 12 STATES HALLOWEEN THUNDERSTORM ALERT - THE MAIN STORY



AccuWeather's latest Halloween outlook issued Oct 25, 2026 at 7:31 AM EDT identifies 12 states where rain and thunderstorms could disrupt trick-or-treating on Oct 31:



The 12 states are:

1. Colorado

2. Utah

3. Kansas

4. Nebraska

5. Iowa

6. Illinois

7. Missouri

8. Western Kentucky

9. Arkansas

10. Tennessee

11. Mississippi

12. Louisiana



What is expected?



- A slow-moving western storm system will push moisture eastward as jet stream changes.

- A map shows showers and thunderstorms expected to spread across central United States Friday Oct 30 into Saturday Oct 31.

- Tropical moisture from Vance could intensify rainfall and increase flooding concerns.

- Denver, Dallas, and Kansas City are major metro areas where storm timing remains uncertain. Forecast does NOT mean every community within affected states will get thunderstorms, but risk is high.



AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski writes: Plains will be main trouble spot as moisture from Gulf and tropics builds over Texas. Rain could be heavy enough to wash out outdoor events Friday and Friday night from South Texas to western and central Kansas, and repeated downpours from Thursday through Halloween could lead to flash flooding.



Thunderstorms may rumble from South Texas to southern Louisiana, including San Antonio, Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Farther west, spotty showers expected over Rockies, and some rain could reach Los Angeles and San Diego by Halloween.



AccuWeather's earlier caution: Eastward reach of rain could shift, which will decide whether big cities like Dallas and Kansas City get wet during trick-or-treating.



Weather Channel Senior Meteorologist Jonathan Erdman adds: Southern California and much of Southwest could be wet Saturday evening, with snow possible in parts of Rockies and Sierra Nevada. Chance of showers and storms Saturday evening anywhere from Arkansas and Louisiana to Carolinas, plus few showers and gusty winds in South Florida.



Additional Halloween Wet Zones per Farmer's Almanac and The Sun:



- Arizona and Four Corners at risk heavy rain Oct 31-Nov 2.

- Much of West, Plains, Mississippi Valley, Gulf Coast and Florida wetter pattern.

- Sierra Nevada, Klamath Mountains, portions of Rockies mountain snow risk.

- Stronger winds expected in coastal Southeast and Florida Oct 29-31.



So if you are in those 12 states, keep poncho handy, have indoor backup plan, and check radar hourly on Halloween evening.



SECTION 3: RECORD WARMTH - 70-80°F ON HALLOWEEN - EAST & MIDWEST SUMMER-LIKE



This is the most unusual part.



According to WPC, daytime highs could reach 70s as far north as Upper Great Lakes (Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit), while portions of Mississippi Valley could reach 80s. Some locations may run 15 to 20 degrees above average during week.



NOAA CPC highlights above-normal temperatures across much of central and eastern USA from Oct 31 through Nov 4.



What does this mean city-wise?



- New York City: Dry weather continues through week with near to slightly above normal temps, becoming quite mild by end of week. Evening trick-or-treat 65-70°F - no jacket needed.



- Chicago: Week starts mostly dry near to above normal, but showers increase by weekend. Halloween high 72-75°F - record warm for Oct 31.



- Minneapolis: Warm and dry for most East and South but Minneapolis could be dodging showers. High 70°F. Early look at trick-or-treat weather from Max Velocity: Minneapolis, Kansas City, Phoenix could be dodging showers. Pacific Northwest may want pack jacket, as it could be chillier.



- Southeast (Atlanta, Charlotte): Warm and dry, highs 75-80°F.



- Northeast (Boston, Philly): Relatively favorable, warmer than average, but passing storm could bring occasional rainfall. Extra layer beneath costumes may still be handy in northern New England where evening chilly.



Why so warm? Blocking pattern. Minneapolis-St Paul still hasn't dropped below freezing this fall - latest ever. Twin Cities hit 90°F Oct 11 latest 90-degree day on record. Cold fronts keep missing.



SECTION 4: WEST USA - EARLY MOUNTAIN SNOW - WINTER BEFORE HALLOWEEN



While East sweats, West shivers.



- Pacific Northwest: Cooler than normal. Occasional rain and cool temps in Seattle. Unsettled weather continues with occasional rain and cool temps. Snow expected over higher elevations.



- Rockies and Sierra Nevada: Early mountain snow alert. AccuWeather meteorologist Alan Reppert: "We are looking at only areas that may see any snow being in higher elevations of western Colorado, western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, and Utah. Most lower elevations will see little snow as temps remain too warm."



- Snow in 11 states earlier this week transitions to Halloween snow in 4 states high elevations.



- Arizona: Heavy rain risk rather than snow. Arizona is also on rough storm list for Halloween night - 3 states warning: Minnesota, Missouri, Arizona could get hit by rough storms on Halloween night per The Spun Oct 25 11:06 AM.



SECTION 5: FLORIDA - WIND AND RAIN - SECOND NOR'EASTER IMPACT



Florida east coast not done.



- NWS: Nor'easter producing dangerous surf, flooding along Florida east coast. Second nor'easter in two weeks. Strong northeast winds 20-25 mph gusts 40 mph. High surf advisory 8-13 feet Palm Beach, 7-11 feet Volusia. Coastal flood warning 4.2 million people. Wind advisory for Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach.



- Halloween: Few showers and gusty winds in South Florida. Wind risk for coastal Southeast and Florida Oct 29-31 per Farmer's Almanac.



SECTION 6: HAWAII - STATEWIDE FLOOD WATCH - 2 TO 8 INCHES RAIN



All main Hawaiian Islands under Flood Watch issued Oct 26-27.



- NWS Honolulu: Flood Watch from 6 AM Tuesday Oct 27 through late Wednesday night Oct 28, extended to Thursday Oct 29. Trough moving over state from southwest will bring abundant tropical moisture late Tuesday through at least Wednesday night. Moisture from remnants of Tropical Storm Olana - 2 to 8 inches total rain Tuesday through Thursday, heaviest at higher elevations.



- Greatest threat: Oahu and Maui County. Impacts: Overflowing streams and drainages, road closures, property damage in urban or low-lying spots, landslides on steep terrain. Honolulu today Oct 27 Night Heavy Thunderstorms Low 23C rain 100% 47.97 mm. Oct 28 Day Showers High 26C rain 70% 24.14 mm.



- County of Maui officials encourage preparedness: Potential heavy rainfall, flooding, isolated thunderstorms as narrow band moves over state Tuesday-Wednesday. Heaviest late Tuesday night through first half Wednesday.



- Small Craft Advisory also from Wed 12 AM to Wed 6 PM.



- Ala Wai Canal in Waikiki danger: Canal can contain only 5-10 year flood before overtopping. Koolau ridge at head Manoa Valley 3100 feet, Waihi Stream drops 2270 feet in 2.2 miles. March 23 2026 rain 2-4 inches per hour Manoa Stream rose 3 to 12 feet cars under.



If in Hawaii this week, front-load outdoor plans into mornings, next week better with trades back.



SECTION 7: TEXAS - VANCE MOISTURE STILL FEEDS HALLOWEEN



Even though Halloween focus is 12 states, Texas is origin.



- NWS WPC: Tropical moisture from remnants T.S. Vance enters Southwest Texas Thursday into Friday brings locally heavy rainfall scattered flash flooding. Slight Risk Level 2 of 4 for Texas Big Bend.



- Austin forecast Oct 29 Thu Day Showers High 26C rain 60% 4.94mm. So Halloween weekend in Texas will be wet start.



SECTION 8: COMPLETE HALLOWEEN CITY-BY-CITY FORECAST SUMMARY



- Northeast: Dry, warm, 65-75°F - Best trick-or-treat weather.

- Southeast: Dry to slight shower, warm 70-80°F, windy Florida.

- Midwest: Unusually warm 70-80°F, but showers possible late Halloween - keep poncho.

- Central Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois): Wettest - 12 states alert - heavy rain, thunderstorms, possible flash flooding - Have indoor plan.

- Southern Plains (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana): Heavy rain early, storms Halloween evening.

- Rockies (Colorado, Utah): Mountain snow above 7000ft, valleys rain - chilly.

- West Coast (California): Heavy rain possible Los Angeles, San Diego by Halloween evening, snow Sierra.

- Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico): Heavy rain, thunderstorms - Arizona on rough storm list.

- Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon): Cool, unsettled, occasional rain, mountain snow - jacket needed.

- Hawaii: Flood Watch, heavy thunderstorms - stay indoors Tuesday-Wednesday.

- Florida: Windy, showers, high surf - avoid beach.



SECTION 9: SAFETY TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN NIGHT



- Stay Weather Ready: Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for severe thunderstorm watches/warnings.

- At Your House: Go to secure location if severe thunderstorm warning. Damaging wind or large hail may approach. Take pets.

- For Kids: Costume with reflective tape if rainy, warm layer in Northeast, poncho in Central states, waterproof shoes.

- For Drivers: Turn around don't drown, especially Texas, Kansas, Arizona.



CONCLUSION



Halloween 2026 will be remembered for warmth not cold. No major storm will cancel Halloween nationwide per Farmer's Almanac, but 12 states will need umbrellas. Record heat in East, early snow in West, floods in Hawaii, wind in Florida, rain in Texas - classic El Nino Halloween.



We will update tomorrow Oct 29 with final hour-by-hour Halloween tracker.



Sources: NOAA CPC 6-10 day Oct 31-Nov 4, NWS, AccuWeather Alex Sosnowski Halloween outlook Oct 25, AccuWeather Chad Merrill, Farmer's Almanac Halloween Forecast Oct 26, Max Velocity Oct 25, The Spun Oct 25, STM Weather Oct 26-27, NWS Honolulu Flood Watch Oct 26-27, weather.com live Oct 27-28.