Historic Super El Niño Forecast this Winter
This winter could get a little chaotic! The National Weather Service has declared that we have a 90% chance of developing a Super El Niño. But that’s not all; there’s a big chance that this will be the strongest El Niño on record since 1950. And thanks to PA’s unique climate, the impact will vary dramatically across the state. Don’t worry, we’re going to explain how a Super El Niño could affect your winter. And how it could change Pennsylvania electric rates.
What is a Super El Niño?
When the weather pattern is normal, trade winds in the Pacific ocean blow westward along the equator. This brings hot ocean water into Asia. Cooler water then rises up from the depths along the west coast of the Americas. However, during an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, these trade winds weaken. Hot water stays on the surface of the ocean and heads eastward. This shifts weather patterns across the world. For the US, that usually means a wetter winter in the south and along the east coast, and a drier and warmer winter up north.
Keep in mind, all forecasts come with some uncertainty. While NOAA has predicted there’s a 90% that this will be a very strong El Niño, it has a 69% chance of this developing into a historic Super El Niño this winter.
A Warm, Wet Winter for the Coast
Philadelphia residents, and everyone else in eastern PA, should prepare for a wet and warm winter. Complete with heavy snowfall at the start and end of the season. For ski enthusiasts, this means a great start to the season! However, temperatures could warm up in the middle of winter, bringing more freezing rain and sleet than snow.
More importantly though, there’s a danger of severe storms. Typically during an El Niño, there’s an increase in nor’easters. Which means heavy rains or snow, strong winds, as well as costal and flash flooding. For instance, the Northeast Blizzard of 2016 that dumped 30 inches of snow on Allentown occurred during a strong El Niño. So this year, being prepared for wetter winter storms could be more important than ever.
Dry, Warm Winter Weather for West PA
For Pittsburgh residents and others in north-western PA though, it’s another story. The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley tend to be drier and hotter than normal in El Niño conditions. That means this winter could come with much lower snowfall than normal in this part of the state.
However, that doesn’t guarentee protection from winter storms. The Polar Vortex, those strong winds that lock Arctic air in a circle around the north pole, can weaken in winter during a strong El Niño. And when the vortex weakens, Arctic cold air can spill into the US and Canada. Unfortunately, it’s hard to predict if and when the polar vortex weakens. But these shocks of extremely cold air can lead to severe winter weather. So it’s important to lock in a cheap electricity plan before winter weather drives up rates.
Save on Your Winter Electricity Bills
Normally, after winter, electricity prices tend to drop in the spring due to milder weather. However, with the development of this historic super El Niño weather pattern, it’s hard to predict what will happen. Extreme and chaotic winter weather could make electricity rates volatile! So the best way to save is to shop and lock in the most affordable fixed rate plans now at https://www.paenergyratings.com.