SPOKANE, Wash. — After months of anticipation, La Niña, the phenomenon that typically brings colder and snowier conditions to the Inland Northwest, appears like it will be a weak and short-lived event this winter.
La Niña refers to the cooling of the eastern Pacific Ocean, which, when strong, can influence weather patterns across the globe. Historically, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts in the Inland Northwest have celebrated La Niña winters, which often bring heavier snowfall and cooler temperatures.
However, according to the latest report from the Climate Prediction Center, this winter’s La Niña is expected to be exceptionally weak. The center’s monthly analysis of the La Niña/El Niño cycle suggests that this year’s La Niña may barely meet the threshold needed to be considered a La Niña at all. The weaker a La Niña (or El Niño) event is, the less likely it is to influence global weather patterns.
The Inland Northwest has experienced three weak and short-lived La Niña events in the 21st century. During 2008-2009, Spokane recorded its highest snowfall on record. In 2005-2006, the region saw its 14th least snow on record, while winter 2016-2017 resulted in above-average snowfall.
Given the variability, our First Alert weather team is adjusting expectations for the winter ahead. A snowier than average winter is certainly possible, but there is less confidence that it will happen than in other La Niña winters of the past. However, since El Niño was in play last winter, it’s reasonable to think that we have good odds of a snowier winter in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area than the previous season.
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