What if this winter’s forecast holds true?

Do you know what meteorologists use to trim their hair? An Alberta clipper. Joking aside, have you heard this winter’s forecast? If it holds true, our yards and landscapes are bound to be affected, especially perennial gardens. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the 2026-2027 winter forecast for the northern United States, driven largely by a strong to very strong El Nino pattern, points toward warmer-than-average temperatures and lower-than-average snowfall. NOAA indicates on their website a high, 83% probability, that this El Nino event will be historic, or at least the strongest since 1950, and is being called a “super El Nino.” A warm winter and little snow sounds like a winter dream-come-true for those who don’t prefer shoveling snow in the bitter cold, but our plants might not be as thrilled. If a historic winter weather event does materialize, it’s difficult to predict its effects on our outdoor plants.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.