EASTERN IOWA (Iowa’s News Now) — As we inch closer to winter, the term “El Niño” has become increasingly talked about. This year, we’re seeing conditions line up for a “Super El Niño.” That can lead to a mild, warmer winter in parts of the US. But, what does that mean for Eastern Iowa?
El Niño and La Niña refer to patterns in the Pacific Ocean which influence our weather. La Niña can be correlated with cooler than average ocean temperatures, and an El Niño pairing with warmer than average temperatures. Those temperature changes affect wind patterns and the jet stream, which can influence where storms track and how temperatures shape up here in the United States. A Super El Niño happens when these temperatures climb well above normal, leading to a stronger influence on weather patterns. That tends to lead to a warm, mild winter here in Iowa. But, this doesn’t mean we won’t see bitter cold and heavy snow.
State Climatologist Justin Glisan explains, “I think the standout question for us will be the amount of snowfall we get in winter and how warm winter is. In past events, we’ve seen more episodic snowfall across the upper Midwest, meaning we’ve pushed 7 to 15 inches of snow within 7 to 10 days versus 1 to 2 inches every 3 to 5 days.”…