<\/p>\n
El Nino typically impacts Dallas-Fort Worth and the southern U.S. by causing wetter-than-normal conditions, meaning increased precipitation or rain, through roughly November to April.\u00a0<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
El Nino<\/a> is continuing to strengthen in the Pacific, bringing increasing chances of a rainy winter to Dallas-Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to an Oct. 8 advisory<\/a> from the Climate Prediction Center, El Nino strengthened further in September and is expected to continue developing through the end of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cChances remain high for a historic event that would exceed the strength of previous El Nino events dating back to 1950,\u201d the advisory states.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what it means for Dallas-Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s the latest on the 2026 \u201cSuper\u201d El Nino?\u00a0<\/p>\n El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically develops every two to seven years and can last nine to 12 months, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n When sea surface temperatures become warmer than average in the Pacific, El Nino starts to develop gradually, which eventually affects local weather patterns around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: What’s the difference between El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a again? A look at their impacts on Texas<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n El Nino is expected to continue intensifying ahead of its forecasted peak this winter, according to the World Meteorological Organization<\/a>, a specialized agency of the United Nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Climate Prediction Center, this year\u2019s El Nino event will likely exceed the strength of prior El Nino events dating back to 1950. That strength increase includes a 54% chance for September to November, an 83% chance for October to December and a 70% chance for November to January.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith an event of this magnitude, the chances of experiencing impacts consistent with El Ni\u00f1o are larger, though not guaranteed,\u201d the advisory states.\u00a0<\/p>\n The organization forecasts El Nino will bring above-average temperatures to most of the world and shift rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of drought and floods in some areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n What does the 2026 El Nino mean for Dallas-Fort Worth?\u00a0<\/p>\n North Texas<\/a> could see a \u201cwetter-than-normal\u201d season this winter, according to Tom Bradshaw, chief meteorologist at the National Weather Service\u2019s Fort Worth office.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n El Nino typically impacts Dallas-Fort Worth and the southern U.S. by causing wetter-than-normal conditions, meaning increased precipitation or rain, through roughly November to April.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Track Hurricane Isaias, first of the 2026 Atlantic season<\/a><\/p>\n While a rainy winter is generally expected, whether this winter will be colder than normal is still undetermined for the region.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe big thing we get asked all the time is, \u2018Well, is it going to be a cold winter or not?\u2019\u201d Bradshaw said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the one where the jury is absolutely out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Bradshaw said there\u2019s \u201cnothing to really indicate\u201d Dallas-Fort Worth will have a sharp departure from its typical winter temperatures in the 50s and 60s, with quick cold snaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s certainly possible we can get these brief, more amplified sharper outbreaks of cold air, but there\u2019s nothing in the long-term guidance that\u2019s yelling that,\u201d Bradshaw said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He said one question is whether these wetter-than-normal periods will line up with some of the intermittent cold stretches.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s when we might get a little bit more snow and ice than we otherwise do,\u201d Bradshaw said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n