With El Niño conditions intensifying in the Pacific Ocean, snow-plagued areas of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic could finally see an increase in snow this winter.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a map revealing the parts of the US that have seen the biggest changes in the past few years due to natural weather patterns — which historically have translated to more snow in the East.
This year’s El Niño — the first in four years — developed in the Pacific at the start of hurricane season, Fox News Meteorologist Marissa Lautenbacher told The Post.
During El Niño years, which most affect wintertime weather in the US, the jet stream descends south and extends eastward across the continental US.
As a result, temperatures in the northeast are expected to be warmer than in recent winters, but the region will see more coastal storms, offering the chance for some big snow blasts after some notable dry spells.
“El Niño years can increase the frequency of coastal storms like nor’easters,” Lautenbacher explained, with the main concern being coastal erosion.
NOAA map showing the difference in snowfall during historical El Niño winters compared to normal winters.Climate.gov
“We can also get heavy snow depending on how cold it can be in the northeast,” he said. “We could get a lot of snow depending on where the storm starts on the coast.”
The southern US can expect much-needed rain and cooler temperatures while the West Coast, particularly the Pacific Northwest, will be cooler and drier, according to Lautenbacher.
Snow builds up in some years with mild to strong El Niño winters, this map shows.Climate.gov
While actual snowfall depends on a number of factors, the new NOAA map offers an overview of how each region of the country has been affected during an El Nino year.
“El Niño drives the odds in favor of certain climate outcomes, but never ensures them,” Michelle L’Heureux, one of the two scientists behind the new map, said in a blog post.
This map shows how some regions, such as the Great Lakes, experienced less than average snowfall.Climate.gov
A map shows how snow falls during El Niño winters [Jan. to March] — despite its strength — was different from average, with significant increases in snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains and southwest and along the East Coast from North Carolina to New Jersey.
The Great Lakes, known for their winter blizzards, historically have less snow during El Niño winters.
With this year’s El Niño expected to be strong, the effects could be even worse, as shown in another map that reveals the strong effects of moderate to strong El Niño winters.
Overall, the US is experiencing a decline in snowy winters due to climate change, the NOAA map shows.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
