Map Shows Potential Snowfall Across US As Super El Niño Chances Climb
A super El Niño could reshape winter, boosting snowfall in parts of the West while bringing warmer conditions elsewhere.
A powerful El Niño climate pattern is emerging in the Pacific, with forecasters predicting a greater than 90% chance it will become a "super El Niño" during the 2026-27 winter season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) emphasize the potential for unprecedented snowfall impacts across the United States.
Recent winter outlook maps from OpenSnow forecast above-normal snowfall in the Southwest, including California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado. This aligns with the typical El Niño effect of an active southern storm track, bringing more frequent storm systems to these regions. However, warmer-than-average temperatures are also expected, which could limit snowfall in some northern U.S. and Canadian areas, such as Washington state.
While the southern U.S. may experience a more active winter storm track and increased snowfall, warmer temperatures often accompany strong El Niño, leading to rain at lower elevations instead of snow. For skiers and mountain communities, the strongest snowfall opportunities may peak between January and March, when the El Niño influence is at its peak.
OpenSnow's forecast suggests the Alps and Scandinavia could also see above-normal snowfall, while Japan may face below-normal snowfall and above-normal temperatures. Despite the forecast's uncertainty, the emergence of a potentially historic El Niño is prompting meteorologists to closely monitor this influential climate pattern as winter approaches.
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