Warnings of extreme weather from a "behemoth" El Niño continue to come from weather agencies, but how will the weather event impact temperatures across the United States?
El Niño, the warming of sea surface temperatures in areas of the Pacific Ocean, impacts weather events around the globe, including temperatures and precipitation in the U.S.
Here's how temperatures near you could be impacted, and what that may mean for winter heating prices this year.
Will El Niño weather impact heating bills this winter?
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, this year's El Niño could bring above-average temperatures in some parts of the U.S.
And, with the rising cost of certain heating fuels in the U.S., a bump in temperature could mean lesser usage and a dent in your bill.
Areas of the Northern
U.S. have the highest probability of above-average temperatures, according to NOAA's forecast.
Other winter forecasts, like the Old Farmer's Almanac, predict a milder winter with much of the country's temperatures "to be near normal or warmer than normal."
The almanac does predict, however colder-than-usual temps from central New England through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley.
Does weather impact heating bill prices?
Temperature is one of the many factors that could influence your heat bills this season, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
According to the EIA, colder temperatures raise heating bills by impacting the amount of energy needed to heat a home and raising demand, contributing to a rise in energy price.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things cost of living related for USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will behemoth El Niño raise my heating bill this season?
