The El Niño of 2015 is the strongest in at least 18 years and one of only five other strong El Niños since 1950.
This periodic warming of the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean can have a number of effects on weather around the world, from heavy rain to extreme drought, persistent warmth to stubborn cold, and inactive versus hyperactive tropical cyclone seasons.
Given its strength, will this El Niño factor into your chances of seeing a White Christmas?
First, it's worth noting that meteorologists define a White Christmas as one in which at least one inch of snow is on the ground on Christmas morning – and they aren't as common as you think, even in colder climates.
Based on 30-year average data from 1981-2010, the chance of at least one inch of Christmas snow cover is less than 50 percent in these traditionally snowy cities:
- Boston: 21 percent
- Pittsburgh: 30 percent
- Chicago: 42 percent
- Cleveland: 45 percent
- Detroit: 46 percent
- Milwaukee: 48 percent
http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/el-nino-white-christmas-impact
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