El Niño Could Be the Strongest on Record. What Does It Mean for Your Winter?

For winter 2026–2027, Denver resident Carolyn Mayle hopes for a better ski season—but she’s more concerned about drought. “This past year we had restrictions on watering our lawns and farmers had lower crop yields,” she says. Without a good snowpack, she worries about worsening water shortages and wildfires.

Thousands of miles away, warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific could shape our winter weather. This natural phenomenon, called El Niño, could be the strongest on record this year. What will it mean for your region—more snow, heavier rain, or milder temperatures?

How Can a Distant Ocean Affect Your Winter?

Strong El Niño winters often bring milder temperatures across much of the U.S., along with wetter conditions in parts of the West and South.

It starts when the tropical Pacific warms. That changes where the ocean releases heat into the air above it, which can shift the jet stream, the fast-moving river of air that steers storms. When the jet stream shifts, the weather systems it steers can shift too.

How Could El Niño Affect Winter 2026–2027?

El Niño is only one piece of the winter puzzle, so The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s weather outlook varies by region. (If you’re not clear on your long-range weather region, check the regional map.)

United States

Cold air will extend from central New England south through the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley, where temperatures will run below normal. Hawaii will also be cooler than usual, though not dramatically so.

Snowfall will be above normal from central New England through the Appalachians, in the Intermountain region (Region 13 on the regional map), in the Pacific Northwest, and in Alaska.

Expect wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the West and in parts of the South, Midwest, and Florida. Drier-than-normal conditions are likely in parts of the East, the Plains, and the Southwest.

Canada

Most of southern Canada will be near or above normal for temperatures, but southeastern Ontario and farther north across central Canada will be colder than normal.

Precipitation will be above normal in Atlantic Canada, from the western Prairies through southern British Columbia, and across southern Nunavut. Snowfall will be above normal in Atlantic Canada, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario, from the northwestern Prairies through British Columbia, and across southern Nunavut.

For the Almanac’s winter weather map and regional summaries, see the U.S. Winter Forecast and the Canadian Winter Forecast.

What Is a Super El Niño?

This year’s El Niño has grown into an exceptionally powerful event, with the potential to become one of the strongest on record.

Almanac meteorologist Chad Merrill explains its influence on our winter forecast:

What makes an El Niño super? Scientists measure its strength by how unusually warm the tropical Pacific Ocean becomes—not by how much rain or snow falls.

A very strong El Niño reaches a temperature index of at least 2.0°C (3.6°F) above its reference level. This year’s event has now crossed that threshold, joining a small group of exceptionally powerful El Niños since 1950. NOAA’s ocean temperature data show just how unusual this event has become.

And it may grow stronger. Climate models suggest that ocean temperatures could continue rising into December, potentially setting new records, according to Carbon Brief’s analysis.

But here’s the important distinction: A stronger El Niño doesn’t necessarily mean stronger storms. Instead, it increases the likelihood of certain winter weather patterns, from heavier precipitation in some regions to unusually warm or dry conditions in others.

The outcome still depends on where you live—and whether cold air is in place when storms arrive.

Rain or Snow? It Comes Down to Cold Air

Wetter doesn’t always mean snowier. Snow needs two things: moisture from a storm and cold air near the ground. Without enough cold, the same storm brings rain.

The Almanac forecasts precipitation and snowfall separately, so check both. A region can be wetter than usual and still see less snow.

What Happens When El Niño Meets a Warmer World?

This year’s El Niño is developing in a warmer world. Warmer air can hold more water vapor, giving storms more moisture to draw on. That can mean heavier downpours, flooded streets, or waterlogged fields.

El Niño comes and goes naturally, but it now happens on top of long-term warming. The World Meteorological Organization says a warmer ocean and atmosphere can amplify some of its effects, including heavy rainfall.

For families, farmers, and communities, the stakes go beyond how much falls. Gentle rain can soak into dry soil, while heavy runoff can carry away topsoil. Snow can store water for months before melting, while rain soaks in or runs off sooner.

A Winter Worth Hoping For

For Carolyn, a strong El Niño brings hope that winter snow could eventually ease water shortages. In mid-October, NOAA reported that El Niño could favor wetter conditions in parts of the Intermountain West this winter.

For farmers and ranchers who depend on snowmelt, a snowy winter could mean more water for crops, hay fields, and livestock next spring. But even a good snow season won’t fully replenish the region’s depleted major reservoirs. Recovery will take time.

There’s also reason for skiers to be hopeful. According to Almanac meteorologist Chad Merrill:

For Carolyn, the possibility of a snowier winter brings another reason to smile: more days on the slopes with her family. El Niño can’t guarantee the snow—or the drought relief—but this winter offers something to hope for.