NOAA just updated it’s official 2015/16 winter forecast for the USA. They’re sticking to their confidence in the strong El Nino affecting the USA with above average precipitation in the south and above average temperatures in the north. Lets break it down:

2015/16 WINTER PRECIPITATION:

NOAA’s precipitation outlook for winter 2015/16 is showing above average precipitation for the southern half of the USA including California, Colorado, Arizona, & New Mexico. Below average precipitation is forecast in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Alaska.

LOOKS GOOD FOR:

Tahoe, Mammoth, SoCal, New Mexico, Flagstaff, and Colorado.

LOOKS BAD FOR:

Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

2015/16 WINTER TEMPERATURES:

NOAA’s temperature outlook for winter 2015/16 showing above average temperatures in the northern half of the USA, the entire West Coast, and all of Alaska. Below average temps are forecast in New Mexico, Texas, and Louisana.

LOOKS GOOD FOR:

New Mexico.

LOOKS BAD FOR:

This looks really bad for the Pacific Northwest, but looks bad on some level for every ski area outside of New Mexico and Colorado…

OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR 2015/16:

Overall, this outlook favors New Mexico. If this outlook rings true, this is the year to head to Taos, New Mexico as they are forecast to receive above average precipitation and below average temperatures.

This forecast also looks good for southern California, but snow levels will be the issue here as El Nino often brings higher snow levels.

This outlook looks bad for Washington. They are forecast for below average precipitation and above average temperatures.