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What ‘Super’ El Niño could mean for Arizona’s winter weather
AZ Family • • world
Key Points:
- El Niño is characterized by ocean temperatures in a specific Pacific region being 0.5 degrees Celsius or higher above average for several months, with a "Super" El Niño indicating even hotter conditions.
- NOAA's latest outlook predicts a higher chance of above-average rain and snow in Arizona this fall and winter, potentially leading to more storms and travel challenges.
- The jet stream during El Niño tends to direct storms through the southern U.S., benefiting snowpack in Arizona and parts of the Rockies.
- Historical data from the past four El Niño winters in Flagstaff shows mostly normal or above-normal snowfall, suggesting optimism for skiers this season.
- Despite favorable conditions for increased precipitation, meteorologists caution that El Niño does not guarantee a stormy winter in Arizona.
