NOAA and many other forecasters are calling for a La Niña winter. The map below isn’t a forecast for this winter as much as it’s an overview of weather conditions of the La Niña winters past.

El Niño winters, like last year, seem to be more boom or bust for Eastern skiers. La Niña seems less likely to be extreme in either direction. From a seasonal snow total perspective an average year would be a major improvement in the Adirondacks. For the Catskills, last year is going to be hard to beat.

This map matches the winter forecast by Joe Bastardi posted in August.