El Niño Expected to Delay First Snowfall in New Jersey Until January
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has indicated that the 2026-2027 winter season may experience the strongest El Niño event on record, with Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to exceed 3°C above normal. El Niño, a climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the Pacific, typically impacts weather patterns across the globe. For the East Coast, including New Jersey, this could mean an increase in winter storms and a mix of snow and rain. However, due to the warming effect of El Niño, the first snowfall in New Jersey is likely to be delayed until January, rather than the usual early December timeframe (source: app.com, 2026-09-08). 
