According to the first seasonal forecasts, the coming winter 2025/2026 will significantly affect the phenomenon of La Niñathat has already begun to form in the Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon causes changes in the global circulation of the atmosphere and brings different winter scenarios for North America and Europe, writes the website.
In North America is expected to redirect the polar jet stream (nozzle flow) to the north of the US. This will bring colder weather to western and central Canada, as well as the north and northeast of the US.
More snow will be in the northwest of the US, in the Midwest and on large lakes and milder and drier winters in the southern US states. According to the ECMWF model in January 2026, it will snow above average, especially in Western states, in the Midwest and in the northern part of the US.
In Europe, the direct effect of La Niña phenomenon is weaker, but there are also noticeable trends. ECMWF predicts below -average snowfall in November and December With the exception of Scandinavia and some of the Balkans. Improvement can come In January, when more cold air is expected and an increased chance of snow in Central Europe and the UK.
Ukmo (British model) is even more pessimistic – According to him, most of Europe is to face a very mild winter with a minimum of snowfallexcept for the north of the continent. According to preliminary data from the ECMWF system, it is more likely that the beginning of winter in Slovakia will be rather slight with less snow. More chances of snow can come in January, when a greater influx of cold air is expected from higher latitudes.
