By Andi Anderson
Michigan residents can expect a wetter-than-usual winter after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a La Niña Watch, signaling favorable conditions for La Niña to develop within the next six months.
La Niña occurs when sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the equatorial Pacific cool below average, setting off atmospheric changes worldwide. “Those cooler than normal SSTs can cause a chain reaction of changes in atmospheric patterns globally,” explained Johnna Infanti, NOAA meteorologist and author of the National Weather Service’s latest Fall and Winter Outlook.
For Michigan, the main impact is a northward-shifted jet stream that typically delivers more precipitation. “There can be some increased precipitation—and that does include the potential for more snow if it gets cool enough—but temperatures are usually near average,” Infanti said. The strength of the event depends on how cold those Pacific waters become: weaker events stay closer to normal, stronger ones are colder.
Current forecasts point to a brief La Niña period during fall and early winter 2025–26, returning to neutral conditions later in the season. February through April is when Michigan could see the strongest effects, with a 33–40% chance of above-normal precipitation statewide.
While more snow is possible, Infanti cautioned that “no two La Niñas are alike,” urging residents and winter sports enthusiasts to watch NOAA’s short-term 8- to 14-day outlooks for specific snowfall chances.
Farmers may also be affected. Increased precipitation can improve soil moisture but may complicate early spring fieldwork. Still, Infanti emphasized that this forecast “does not have anything to do with the chance for extremes of precipitation,” only a higher likelihood of wetter conditions overall.
For Michigan, a La Niña Watch means keeping a close eye on seasonal updates—but it offers hope for ski hills and snow lovers eager for a more traditional winter.
Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran
Categories: Michigan, Weather