Next winter snow forecast

On July 25, 2024 the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the most trusted meteorology sources in the world, released its winter 2024/25 predictions (not quite the whole season, November, December and January). 

If you ski in North America or plan to visit us there, try to locate where your skiing will take you or change your plans, put that information aside and complain to NOAA if it deviates. I always forget to do this! 

NOAA makes upcoming winter weather predictions for North America based on patterns and data readings in the Pacific Ocean. This is called ENSO (El Niño / Southern Oscillation) patterns. ENSO refers to the general climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean and does not indicate an El Niño cycle, despite the name. 

If this is too confusing, go to the fridge and get a beer to cool off your mind. Just a fair warning to anyone studying these cute pictures: While these visual predictions are based on detailed scientific data, backed by months of pattern analysis and years of research, they are by no means precise predictions for specific states or areas. 

However, they offer a good look at what general regions might look like this winter and they’re fun to look at. Further, there’s no harm in dreaming about a few good deep turns in bottomless pow this winter!