La Niña is back, but what does that mean for Michigan’s weather this coming winter?
The waters in the central Pacific have officially dropped below average influencing autumn and winter across the country.
What does that mean for Michigan?
La Niña is known for bringing cooler, wetter conditions and more snowfall, especially in the northern parts of the state.
The pattern often shifts storm tracks south, placing Michigan on the northern edge of potential winter storms, and can lead to increased lake-effect snow if the Great Lakes remain ice-free.
This winter’s La Niña is predicted to be weak, so its impact may not be as pronounced as in previous years.
Expected impacts on Michigan
- Precipitation:
An increased chance of above-average precipitation, including snow, is likely from December through February.
- Temperatures:
While the pattern favors cooler and wetter conditions for the Midwest, Michigan is expected to have roughly equal chances of being above, below, or near average for temperatures overall, according to some forecasts.
- Snowfall:
A weaker La Niña may result in a wide range of snow totals, but lake-effect snow is a possibility, particularly in the western part of the state.
- Storm tracks:
La Niña can shift storm tracks south, favoring the Ohio River Valley region, which places Michigan on the northern edge of many winter storms.
What to keep in mind
- La Niña is a climate pattern, not a guarantee, and the actual weather will depend on many factors, including specific storm development and tracks.
- This winter’s La Niña is predicted to be weak, which could lessen its impact on the forecast.