El Niño Winter Forecast: Impacts on Snow, Cold, and Christmas Dreams

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released an outlook stating that El Niño will likely bring a warmer or wetter winter to parts of the US this year. While above-average temperatures are expected across much of the northern US, the Northwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast have the highest likelihood of above-average temperatures. The southern US, including areas battling drought, is expected to see above-average precipitation. El Niño's winter signature of shifting the jet stream south over the US increases the chances of storms and precipitation in the South, while the Northeast may experience snowy nor'easters. Overall, this winter's El Niño is forecasted to be strong and could result in higher snow chances in some areas.