El Nino for winter weather 2015 MAP

By Fall 2014 there is a 75-80% chance we’ll have El Niño. Just below the ocean’s surface, water temperatures are already off-the-charts-hot. If that warm water makes it to the surface, the planet could be in line for one of the most intense El Niños ever recorded. That would be enough to shift weather patterns worldwide and play a major roll in how the 2014- 2015 winter ski season will shape up from coast to coast. Below you will find a winter weather predictions based on El Niño conditions. 

El Niño Winter Weather Forecast For 2015

Alaska: A warm, wet winter along the southern Alaska coast and a warm, dry winter in the interior. Alyeska ski resort could have another rough go. One study shows that summer 2015 could be a big one for wildfires.

Pacific Northwest: A warm and dry winter have been typical during  past El Niños. Look for thin snowpacks and a continuation of Oregon’s drought.

Tahoe & The Sierras: El Niño is often very favorable for Tahoe skiers. This is great news for ski resorts like Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl who have had three straight winters of below average snowfall. Look for a return of massive dumps and thick snowpacks!

Idaho: With the jet stream’s energy often split between Alaska and Southern California in El Niño years, places in the middle like Idaho get the short end of the stick. However, Sun Valley has built a reputation of having some of the finest snowmaking in the world to offset mother natures fickleness.

Colorado: Colorado had a massive season last winter (Loveland, CO = 474″) and with an El Niño the Front Range could see more significant snowstorms. The National Center for Atmospheric Research analysis shows a 20-inch snowstorm is roughly seven times more likely in an El Niño year than in a La Niña year.

Southwest: The Southwest could score big time with a healthy track record of big seasons when an El Niño sets up. Ski resorts like Telluride, Silverton and Taos could all see fantastic seasons.

Northeast: New England winters are typically warmer with an El Niño. Though hurricanes and snowstorms are relatively rare during strong El Niño years, nor’easter windstorms are nearly three times more likely, an NOAA study shows.

 

Related Post: Top 10 Snowfall Totals of The 2013-2014 Ski Season

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