Strong El Niño Brewing, And Southern Utah Skiers May Feel The Benefit

It’s August. It’s hot. We’re still complaining about how hot it is. School has just barely started. And naturally, it’s time to start talking about snow.

Because that’s what we do in Southern Utah. We apparently can’t enjoy one season without worrying about the next one.

houses on mountain covered with snow

The early outlook for the 2026-27 winter, however, gives us a pretty good excuse. El Niño is developing in the Pacific, and it could become a big one. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, there is a 97% chance El Niño will continue into early spring 2027. NOAA also puts the odds of a “very strong” El Niño during October through December at 81%.

Ski Utah Is Proclaiming This To Everyone!

Of course, the folks at Ski Utah are making this the greatest thing since indoor plumbing. But, who can blame them? The last couple of ski seasons here in the Beehive state have been less than spectacular.

person in red jacket and black pants riding on ski blades on snow covered ground during

The numbers are impressive. But before we start ordering snow tires and digging the skis out of the garage, there is an important distinction to make: this is a forecast, not a prediction.

There’s a difference.

A forecast tells us what the odds look like. A prediction tells us what is going to happen. And if we learned anything from the 2016 presidential election, it’s that there can be a rather substantial gap between the two.

snow covered trees during daytime

Still, the forecast is encouraging, particularly for Southern Utah.

Ski Utah’s early analysis suggests El Niño’s tendency to push the Pacific storm track farther south could favor Southern Utah’s mountains. That could be very good news for Brian Head, which may be sitting in one of the better positions in the state to benefit from the storm pattern.

Read More: Want To Live In The Mountains? Park City Tops National List

With Eagle Point Ski Resort sitting out the coming season after the Cottonwood Fire devastated much of the resort, including ski terrain, lifts and buildings, Brian Head will be Southern Utah’s only operating lift-served ski resort this winter.

Courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center

One interesting thing looking at the Climate Prediction Center's outlook for December, January and February, they are, in fact, saying that the it is for above normal precipitation, but along with that, they also show that the 3 month period outlook for that same time is for above normal temperatures. Is it possible that some southern Utah valley locations might see more of rain/snow mixture, or maybe even some rain?

Cortesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Or will it dump like a madman?

Or be as dry as a bone?

Who knows? Remember, Hillary beat Trump back in....oh wait.

So, yes, we’re talking about snow while many of us are still running air conditioners around the clock. But there is some science behind the madness.

brown tabby cat on snow

NOAA will release another outlook soon, which might give ua a clearer picture of what may be coming our way. Or maybe just add to the confusion.

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Until then, I suppose we can enjoy summer. If we must.