As fall approaches, many people are talking about how the Super El Niño will impact people across the country. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Niño is expected to pack a punch as temperatures drop (although the worst of these effects are usually felt in the winter).
That means drier conditions in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, as well as in the Northern Rockies. Meanwhile, the northern U.S. tends to see warmer temperatures than normal during these weather patterns. The Southern U.S. typically sees higher-than-average rain and snow totals, and the West Coast becomes more susceptible to coastal flooding.
El Niño years also bring more frequent and heavier rainstorms in places like California, the Gulf Coast, the Southwest, and the Southern Rockies. In a Super El Niño year, you would expect to see all of that intensify, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac may actually have good news for homeowners this fall, since the Old Farmer’s Almanac says that the weather actually looks pretty pleasant as the seasons change.
That’s good news for those who live in the areas where more extreme weather is predicted.
Fall Will Be Warmer Than Normal for Most of the U.S.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says summer lovers are in for a treat this year in places like Texas, the Deep South, Northern Plains, and the Heartland. That’s because summer temps will be sticking around into the middle of October. However, that means you’ll still be dealing with those summertime chores a lot longer this year, which means mowing the grass, dealing with pests, and maybe even running your AC a bit longer.
In the Northeast, Appalachians, Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, and Pacific Coast, you’ll have cooler-than-average temperatures this fall, which may mean higher bills when you have to turn on your heater ahead of schedule.
The rest of the country may be looking at transitional conditions at the start of fall, meaning that they could see early cooling in September with a return to warmer weather in October.
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Now Is the Time to Look Ahead to Fall
It may still be summer, but it’s never too early to start thinking of those seasonal jobs that you do at the start of fall each year to figure out which ones you can push back, and which ones you’ll need to get a jump on, depending on where you live.
For example, those who live in areas expecting to see a wetter fall may want to consider checking their gutters and roof before the rainy season starts so that they can stay ahead of any issues. Those who are going to get an early taste of winter could probably benefit from having their HVAC system checked ahead of time; that way they will be all set if something needs to be fixed or replaced.
All that being said, the Old Farmer’s Almanac and other long-term weather prediction models aren’t perfect, and things can always change. So keep an eye on your local weather forecasts as fall gets closer so that you’re staying in the loop.