It looks as if we're in for an El Nino winter in Wisconsin.
An El Nino system can mean warmer than usual temperatures according to meteorologist JJ Wood at the National Weather Service in Sullivan. The official forecast is calling for at least a weak El Nino at the equator in the Pacific. If it's a moderate system we could see warmer winter temperatures here in Wisconsin.
The last time El Nino sent warmer winds our way was during the winter of 2004-05. That was a weak system and temperatures from January through February were only one to two degrees higher than normal.
According to Wood, El Nino can sometimes mean slightly more precipitation but it's too early to say for sure. The Pacific system usually affects temperatures not snowfall.
So, for now, the official long range forecast calls for normal snowfall amounts across Wisconsin.
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