2026-2027 Winter Forecast Highlights Super El Niño Impacts
The 2026-2027 winter forecast anticipates significant impacts from a potentially historic Super El Niño, influencing snowfall, temperatures, and precipitation patterns globally. In North America, above-normal snowfall is expected in the Southwest U.S., including California, Utah, and Southern Colorado, while below-normal snowfall is projected for the northern U.S. and much of Canada. Europe may see above-normal snowfall in the Alps and Scandinavia, but Eastern Europe and the Pyrenees are likely to experience below-normal snowfall. Japan's ski regions are forecasted to have below-average snowfall, driven by warmer-than-normal temperatures. Despite these trends, seasonal forecasts carry inherent uncertainty due to unpredictable atmospheric factors. The forecast also highlights the role of oceanic signals, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, in shaping winter weather patterns. 
