The Farmers’ Almanac says we’re in for a ‘wild ride’ this winter
The Farmers’ Almanac winter forecast for 2025-2026 calls for a long season of cold and snow across much of the U.S.
La Niña conditions are on the way, and Wisconsinites may feel the effects this fall and winter.
La Niña is a climate pattern that occurs every few years and leads to cooler-than-average temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This year, multiple forecasters are projecting La Niña conditions will develop within the next few months, with a Climate Prediction Center predicting there’s a 71% chance of a La Niña between October and December.
When it develops, the climate pattern will likely affect fall and winter weather across the U.S. Here’s what to know about La Niña, including its impact on Wisconsin:
What is La Niña?
La Niña, translating to “Little Girl” in Spanish, is the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central Pacific, according to NOAA.
Episodes of La Niña and its opposing climate pattern, El Niño, generally last nine to 12 months but can extend longer. The two patterns typically alternate back and forth and occur every two to seven years, though there is no regular schedule to them.
In terms of weather impacts, La Niña tends to lead to a warmer winter and drought in the Southern U.S., heavy rains in the Pacific Northwest and cooler temperatures in the North. It also often leads to a more severe hurricane season.
When will La Niña conditions arrive?
Climate models are forecasting La Niña conditions to develop between October and December and potentially last into early 2026, according to Sarah Marquardt, a hydrologist and meteorologist for the Milwaukee/Sullivan NWS office.
How will La Niña conditions affect Wisconsin this winter?
Though forecasters are not expecting La Niña conditions to have major impacts on Wisconsin, there is a slight chance of a wetter and warmer winter in Wisconsin due to La Niña, according to Marquardt.
More specifically, the NWS is predicting a slight chance of above average precipitation and temperatures in the three-month forecast periods between October to December and between November to January, Marquardt said.
Winter 2025 forecast for Wisconsin
While La Niña conditions may set the stage for a warmer and wetter winter, other forecast models have different predictions for Wisconsin’s 2025 winter.
In recent forecasts, the Farmer’s Almanac has predicted Wisconsin is in for a “very cold, snowy winter,” and the Old Farmer’s Almanac has projected a mild and dry winter. Read more here about what different forecast models are predicting for Wisconsin winter this year.