Strong El Niño forecast brings wetter conditions to southern US ski areas
A strong El Niño pattern is forecast for the winter of 2026-27, with NOAA assigning a 90 percent or greater probability to this event as of January 2027.
Southern resorts face wetter snow
Historical data indicates that El Niño winters typically produce wetter conditions across the southern United States. This pattern places California, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Colorado in a position to receive increased precipitation. The current outlook specifically favors these regions over Utah and the northern Rockies.
Northern areas expect warmer weather
Warmer and drier conditions are expected for the northern United States during this climate event. Northeastern mountains will likely see snowfall that depends more on individual coastal storms than usual. These warmer temperatures could create ice-skating rink conditions in some northern locations.
Forecast odds remain high
NOAA stated the odds of a very strong El Niño were at least 90 percent as of January 2027. There is also a 69 percent chance this event will be the strongest on record since 1950. This forecast follows a lackluster season in parts of the western US earlier this year.
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