How cold will this winter be in NJ? What long-range forecasts predict
New Jersey residents could experience a warmer and wetter winter than usual as a strengthening El Niño weather pattern is expected to influence temperatures and precipitation across much of the United States, reported the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA's 2026-27 U.S. Winter Outlook, released Oct. 15, predicts above-average temperatures across much of the East, including New Jersey, and increased chances of wetter-than-normal conditions along the East Coast. The seasonal forecast covers December 2026 through February 2027 and comes as forecasters anticipate a strong to very strong El Niño event that could significantly influence weather patterns nationwide. El Niño occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become warmer than average, affecting atmospheric circulation and shifting weather patterns across the globe. During a strong El…