This winter’s El Niño could be one of the strongest in 70 years
Thursday's Climate Prediction Center update indicated a small chance of a “historically strong” El Niño this winter. The national forecasters predicted a 54% likelihood of being one of the five strongest since 1950.
A ‘Strong’ El Niño winter may bring additional snowfall.
Last month, the Climate Prediction Center predicted a 35% possibility of this year's El Niño being among the strongest ever, similar to 2015-2016 or 1997-1998.
However, a strong El Niño does not inevitably cause severe weather events such as storms, flooding, or snowfall.
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Although greater El Niño occurrences raise the likelihood of climate anomalies, they do not guarantee widespread or intense repercussions
Both coasts expected to flood due to El Niño: Where risk is greater This winter, what do they expect? As with weather, it depends on location.
The December, January, and February precipitation prognosis is typical of an El Niño winter, with heavier rain in the south and drier weather in several northern and Great Lakes regions.
Winter temperatures aren't expected to be exceptionally cold. The latest prediction predicts warmer-than-average seasons in over half of states.