Are you dreaming about the perfect ski vacation, but worried about the snow cooperating? We have a regional breakdown to help you find the best slopes for each month this winter.

The strong El Niño could throw a wrench in the snow forecast for your favorite ski spot, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the season.

Using our temperature and precipitation outlooks, we've rated the ski conditions region-by-region either poor, uncertain or good for each month from December to February.

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It's important to note that even though the strong El Niño gives us more confidence in what the weather will look like this winter, these are just trends.

One large storm system could take a region from poor to great conditions. So, while this breakdown will give you a great jumping-off point for your ski vacation planning, you'll want to monitor the forecast closely as you approach your trip for any changes.

December

• Sierra, Southern Rockies expected to have a strong start. An active storm pattern combined with cooler than average temperatures means conditions will be favorable for snow. The snow level, the elevation at which rain turns into snow, will be important to watch, though. Where this line falls can drastically change the quality of the snow. If you've heard of "Sierra cement," that's where this comes from — heavy, wet snow near the snow level can be difficult for skiers.
• Above average temperatures stifle the East. There is high confidence that the Great Lakes and Midwest will have a warm start to the winter along with a stretch from the Central Appalachians to New England. With cold bursts of air being fewer and farther between, snow will be harder to come by, which is not ideal for resorts in the region.
• Uncertainty in the Northwest. While the region is still expected to be slightly warmer than average, there is less confidence than in the East. A lean start to the ski season in the region is likely but a large storm could change the game.

January

• Excellent conditions remain for Sierra, Rockies. The active storm track will continue to funnel ample moisture into the region, expanding the chances for snowfall into the Central Rockies this month.
• Bleak snowfall chances continue for East. The above average warmth will linger, limiting the chance for significant snow in the region. However, the Central Appalachians and the Northeast could see wetter weather, meaning mixed wintry precipitation events are possible. Higher elevation resorts will likely fair better than lower elevation resorts.
• Northwest snow conditions will continue to vary. Occasional stormy periods could bring the moisture needed for snow to the Pacific Northwest, but intermittent dry and warm stretches will lead to variable snow conditions.

February

• Improvement in the Northeast, Central Appalachians. February brings the potential for more cold air to reach these regions. Combine this with the ample precipitation expected, and we could see a stronger finish to the season for resorts in the area.
• Midwest, Great Lakes stuck above average. The bull's-eye for above average temperatures will linger here through the end of winter, making for a dismal outlook for late-season snow.
• Jackpot in Central, Southern Rockies, California. The continuation of the active pattern off the Pacific Ocean will make for impressive snow depth and some top-notch powder days. Snow levels could still be variable in the Sierra Nevada, favoring higher elevation resorts.

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.

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