El Niño Expected to Intensify This Fall in the U.S.
The United States is preparing for a seasonal shift as summer ends and fall begins on September 22, 2026. According to NOAA, the development of a very strong El Niño event is expected during the fall and winter of 2026-2027, with a greater than 90% chance of reaching significant intensity. This phenomenon is projected to influence atmospheric patterns, including shifts in the jet stream, leading to noticeable regional weather differences. The outlook for October through December suggests warmer-than-average temperatures across much of the West, northern regions, and areas east of the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, Southern states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana face a more uncertain temperature outlook. Precipitation trends also vary, with above-average rainfall expected in the South and drier-than-usual conditions in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Great Lakes region.
