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North Texans could see an increased amount of precipitation this winter, including rain or snow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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North Texans could be in for a wetter winter this year due to El\u00a0Ni\u00f1o,\u00a0but don\u2019t start shopping for snow shovels just yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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While El Ni\u00f1o has been strengthening in the Pacific Ocean over the last few months, it\u2019s still too early to tell exactly what weather conditions North Texas may see this winter, said Tom Bradshaw, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service\u2019s Fort Worth office<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \nWhat is El Ni\u00f1o?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o<\/a> is a naturally occurring climate pattern that can alter global patterns. Bradshaw said it develops gradually when sea surface temperatures become warmer than average in the tropical Pacific.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those warmer waters can change atmospheric circulation and the position of the fast-moving air currents in the jet stream<\/a>, which can affect weather patterns. During a typical El Ni\u00f1o winter, the storm track increases the chances of wetter weather in the southern U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts nine to 12 months, according to NOAA.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: 5 things El Ni\u00f1o isn’t: Separating fact from fiction about the weather phenomenon<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n What does El Ni\u00f1o mean for North Texas?<\/p>\n Bradshaw said North Texans can expect a \u201cwetter than normal\u201d season with the possibility of cooler temperatures on average.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wetter than normal means an increased precipitation over the course of the season, but not necessarily more snow.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Despite low rain totals, most of Texas isn\u2019t in drought \u2014 yet. But that could change soon<\/a><\/p>\n Whether that precipitation falls as rain or snow depends on atmospheric conditions that cannot be reliably predicted months in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Bradshaw said forecasters typically get a much clearer picture of potential winter weather events, such as ice or snow, within a few weeks of an event, meaning it’s too soon to determine if Dallas will see snow this winter.<\/p>\n While cooler temperatures on average are expected, Bradshaw said that doesn\u2019t necessarily translate to the prolonged freezing temperatures required for snow or ice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty challenging to draw conclusions from El Ni\u00f1o by itself,\u201d Bradshaw said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bradshaw said other atmospheric conditions, such as the Arctic Oscillation<\/a> and the Pacific-North America<\/a> pattern, will also impact North Texas\u2019 weather this winter. Weather oscillations are natural shifts in the positions of atmospheric pressure systems or sea surface temperatures.<\/p>\n \u201cThe El Ni\u00f1o pattern is not the only game in town in the atmosphere,\u201d Bradshaw said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: More hot weather on the way? High temps to extend into early fall in North Texas, NWS says<\/a><\/p>\n \nCould a Super El Ni\u00f1o develop in 2026?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The Climate Prediction Center said in an Aug. 13 alert<\/a> this year\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o is strengthening and has a 90% of being a \u201cvery strong event\u201d this fall and winter. Additionally, there is a 69% chance of a historic event that would \u201cexceed the strength of previous El Ni\u00f1o events dating back to 1950,\u201d according to the alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n