How La Niña Could Affect This Year’s Weather In Colorado

If you’ve been in the loop in terms of Colorado’s weather over the last few months, you’re likely aware about the El Niño that began towards the end of the year. 

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This one was notable in the fact that it had the possibility to bring in colder and more wet conditions, which usually leads to more snow. 

It did just that, and Colorado has been rewarded with a fantastic snowpack this year. According to the Denver Post, snowpack is actually 109% higher than the 30-year median. 

Obviously, having a good snowpack is great for limiting wildfire conditions, but more importantly, will provide more water for Colorado and other states. 

However, it’s hypothesized that a La Niña is on the way, and it could have effects that could start and the end of summer and beyond. 

What is La Niña?

Whereas El Niños spark from warmer than usual water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and creates an extended Jet Stream, La Niñas are essentially the opposite. 

They are caused by colder than usual water temperatures in the pacific. Whereas an El Niño’s Jet Stream affects the Southeastern part of the US, La Niña causes the Polar Jet Stream to extend and create colder and more wet conditions in the north. 

How Could a La Niña Affect Colorado’s Weather Moving Forward?

Colorado is in an interesting spot when it comes to La Niñas.

We are right in the middle of where the Polar Jet Stream rips through the northwest and also in the area where there are warmer, dryer temperatures, particularly in southern Colorado.

However, we have plenty of evidence of what happens in Colorado during this weather phenomena. 

For one, as stated before, the southern part of the state will see warmer and drier conditions. This will likely affect the snowpack in these regions this winter. 

However, since the majority of the state lies between the dry weather in the south and cold and wet conditions in the north, much of the state, especially the Front Range, does not see a huge effect. 

However, the mountains usually see an uptick in cold, wet conditions. This means if you plan on hitting the slopes this winter, you show be in for a good amount of snow.