Strong El Niño to Bring Wet, Stormy Winter to Florida
A strong El Niño is developing and is expected to bring one of the wettest winters on record to Florida, according to meteorologist Leslie Hudson (WMNF, 2026-10-07). This climate pattern is rapidly intensifying and is projected to push the subtropical jet stream farther south, resulting in increased rainfall, frequent storms, and cooler conditions across the state from fall into early spring. Historical data from the National Weather Service indicates that El Niño winters, particularly strong ones, have been associated with a higher frequency of severe weather events, including tornadoes. The 1997–1998 Super El Niño, for instance, led to Florida's wettest November-to-March period and the state's deadliest tornado outbreak, known as 'The Night of the Tornadoes.'