El Niño winter forecast: See a map that shows which U.S. regions will get the most snow and rain

The upcoming winter season in the United States is predicted to be heavily influenced by a powerful El Niño event, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This climatic phenomenon, characterized by elevated sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and weakened trade winds, is expected to bring a mix of wet and dry conditions across the country.

Forecasts indicate that about half of the U.S. will experience a notably wet winter, particularly in the South, Southwest, and East Coast regions. Conversely, northern areas, including parts of the Great Lakes, northern Rockies, and central Alaska, are forecasted to see drier conditions. Notably, certain areas will be more affected than others, with Florida anticipated to receive 70-80% above average precipitation.

The El Niño effect is expected to alter the jet stream's path, increasing the likelihood of stormy weather in the southern and eastern parts of the country. While this wet weather could alleviate drought conditions in the Southwest, it could also lead to destructive flash floods and mudslides due to excessive precipitation on dry soil.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has already declared a state of emergency in anticipation of this El Niño winter, anticipating potential impacts such as heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, flooding, landslides, debris flows, large waves, and coastal flooding, especially during high tide. Although specific outcomes are not guaranteed, as the season progresses, meteorologists will continue to refine their forecasts.

For those seeking up-to-date information on oncoming snow or rain, the National Weather Service (NWS) has launched an interactive Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, allowing users to view the range of possible snow, ice, and rain amounts over a 72-hour period.