It is forecasted that we will be experiencing the strongest El Nino season since the winter of 2015-2016. What does this mean for snowfall in Pennsylvania?

El Ninos are weather patterns that cause the warming of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The northern U.S. tends to get drier weather, while the southern U.S. gets wetter weather and more storms.

According to NOAA, the 2015-2016 EL Nino season brought the warmest winter on record to the U.S. This year’s El Nino is predicted to bring similar results.

The stronger an El Nino, the warmer the climate. This unusual increase in temperature means the southern parts of the U.S. may be getting rainstorms instead of snow.

As for Pennsylvania, it has been recorded that moderate to strong El Ninos on average cause less snowfall. This unfortunately means that the white Christmas we picture may truly just be a dream.

La Ninas have the exact opposite effect, cooling waters of the Pacific Ocean. This brings cooler temperatures to the northern U.S., and with it more snow.

A white Christmas may be very near in our future as the El Nino event shifts to a La Nina in the next winter cycle.