Winter Forecast: El Niño Could Have A Huge Impact On Snowfall In New York

A record-breaking El Niño is developing over the Pacific Ocean, and it will play a major role in how winter plays out in Upstate New York.

Read More: Albany's First Snowfall: The Date You Should Expect to See White

I know. That word winter is hard to digest as we enjoy one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Capital Region and Upstate New York. But when the leaves have all changed and eventually disappear into the season that lies ahead, we all know what is looming. But winter this year could be a lot different.

AccuWeather Reveals Forecast For Winter 2026-2027

As they do every year, the forecasters at AccuWeather have made their predictions for what we can expect from Old Man Winter in New York and across the Northeast.

First, the biggest influence on our winter in New York will be a developing El Niño in the tropical Pacific. This periodic weather phenomenon will affect weather across the nation this winter. For us in the Northeast, AccuWeather says its biggest effect could be a warming trend this year, which will make arctic cold less likely to plunge as far south as it normally would.

AccuWeather says this trend can 'fluctuate,' leading to colder weather or larger, significant snowstorms in New York. Still, for the most part, the AccuWeather forecast for the season is calling for below-average snowfall due to this milder trend.

If the snow we got the last 2 years was a little too much for ya, this winter could be just what the doctor ordered for the season ahead.

Regardless, get the snowblower ready and stock up on rock salt. Because you know if you are not ready, the opposite of this forecast will turn out to be true!