 is a climate pattern that develops from the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean close to the Americas. It happens randomly every two to seven years and typically lasts nine to 12 months, usually peaking in the winter months. First identified by fishermen in the seventeenth century, scientists are still uncertain what causes it. It tends to bring milder weather to some parts, and colder to others. As well as North America, it impacts ski slopes in Japan and in the southern hemisphere, and, to some, extent the whole world. How El Nino affects snowfall in North American ski resorts La Niña ('the girl') is the reverse phenomenon, with unusual cooling of surface waters in the eastern Pacific. Areas that get more snow during El Niño tend to get less, on average, and vice versa. The full cycle is known as ENSO – the El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation. The past three winters have been La Niña seasons. 2022/23 saw huge snow totals in the US, particularly in California, enabling Mammoth Mountain to keep its slopes open to August, and in Utah, where Alta topped 900 inches){kind=link}
Everything you need to know about El Niño, the winter-making (or breaking) phenomenon
Skiers across the globe are getting itchy feet as the winter season draws closer – the question on everybody’s lips is, will it be a good winter for snow?
On social media, there’s excitement at the first snowfalls on high slopes in Europe and North America. In the Alps, glacier ski areas have started their 23/24 seasons already – with Sölden in Austria the latest – and, in Colorado, snowmaking guns have begun to fire.
While some ski areas in California and Utah, which had incredible snowfalls last season, might quietly be hoping for a little less snowy disruption, low-lying ski areas in the Alps are hoping for a colder and whiter start than last.
With all eyes on the forecast, there’s much chatter around the El Niño phenomenon that is brewing in the eastern Pacific and what it might mean for snowfall in North America and Europe.