Now that we've passed the autumnal equinox, winter weather won't be far behind. How much snow will Ohio see this winter? What's Ohio's snowiest month? Will El Niño affect snow and temperatures this winter? Here's what we know.
El Niño influences weather patterns
El Niño may bring a drier-than-normal winter, which may alter normal snowfall patterns in Ohio, according to a Facebook post by Toledo-area meteorologist Ross Ellet. El Niño is a natural climate pattern in which surface sea water temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than average.
The entire natural climate cycle is officially known as El Niño – Southern Oscillation, called ENSO by scientists. The cycle swings between warmer and cooler seawater in a region along the equator in the tropical
Pacific. La Niña is marked by cooler-than-average ocean water in the region.
What will Ohio's winter look like in 2026?
Old Farmer's Almanac has released a long-term forecast for how wet and cold winter will be across the United States and what Ohio's winter may look like.
The Ohio Valley may have below-normal temperatures this winter, and precipitation will be above normal in the east and below normal in the west. As for snow? It will be slightly below normal. Ohio Valley's snowiest periods are expected to be in Mid and late January, mid-February, and early March.
The Upper Midwest is expected to have above-normal temperatures, and above normal in the east; below normal in the west. It will see the most snow in early and late January, late February, and early March, with near- to below-normal snowfall.
When does Ohio receive the most snow?
Are you looking forward to a blanket of snow so you can have a snowball fight or build a snowman?
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, Ohio's snowiest month is January. Though we may see some snowfall before then, we might have to wait a few months to see consistent inches of snow outside our windows.
Snowfall totals in Ohio can vary greatly depending on where you live.
Cleveland and the far northeast portion of the state routinely see an average of 6–8 feet of snow, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency data track from 2017–2022. A band stretching across the northern portion of the state typically receives 2 feet or more while Columbus and Cincinnati average 1–2 feet.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How El Niño could impact Ohio snowfall this winter
