El Niño Strengthens: Western U.S. Braces for Snowier Winter
A strengthening El Niño is reshaping the winter 2026-27 outlook, with forecasts indicating increased snowfall in parts of the western United States. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event this fall and winter. States such as California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Colorado are expected to experience above-average precipitation, particularly in mountainous regions. The Central Sierra in California and the southern Rockies are among the areas with the clearest signals for heavier snow. However, the northern tier of the U.S. is likely to see warmer-than-normal conditions, which could reduce snowfall despite increased moisture. Forecasters emphasize that these predictions are probabilistic and not guaranteed. Source time: Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:04:34 GMT. 
