Super El Niño Strengthens, Impacting Western Ski Resorts
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the development of a Super El Niño, which is predicted to be one of the strongest on record, according to OnTheSnow and NOAA. This weather phenomenon, characterized by sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding +3.0°C in the eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to influence the upcoming ski season across the western United States. Historically, El Niño winters have favored southern ski resorts in states like California, Colorado, and Utah, but the unpredictability of this event makes long-term forecasts challenging. Previous strong El Niño events have shown mixed impacts on snowfall, with some regions experiencing record-breaking snow while others face warmer and drier conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported a 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026-27, raising questions about its potential effects on ski resorts and mountain snowfall.
