La Niña Is Coming Soon and Here’s What That Means for Minnesota

Last fall, I put away the lawnmower and brought out the snowblower. It started right up with one pull, which was nice. The noise got my neighbor’s attention, and he came over to show off his new snowmobile, joking that we probably wouldn't see any snow because he bought it.

He’s still waiting for a chance to use it, and I only needed the snowblower once all winter. The winter of 2023/2024 was unusual, with warmer temperatures and hardly any snow due to a strong El Niño, but this winter a La Niña is on the way. Find out what to expect below.

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What is El Niño?

El Niño occurs when the Pacific Ocean's waters warm up more than usual, which shifts the Pacific jet stream. This change affects weather patterns worldwide, leading to events like flooding, droughts, or unusually high or low temperatures in various regions.

El Niño happens every few years and can significantly impact our winter weather.

What is La Niña?

La Niña happens when the surface temperatures of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean cool down. This cooling affects the air and, in turn, influences weather patterns around the world, including here in Minnesota.

How La Niña Will Impact Our Winter

If you didn’t get a chance to go snowmobiling or ice fishing last winter, La Niña could be a game-changer for you this year. Historically, La Niña winters have meant colder and snowier conditions in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

According to the Weather Channel, it looks like La Niña will develop sometime between September and November, bringing really cold air to our area throughout winter.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has already shared its prediction for the first frost of the season, and the dates vary depending on where you live in Minnesota. Here’s when you can expect the first frost in some of the state’s major cities:

Rochester: October 1st, 2024
Duluth: October 5th, 2024
Minneapolis: October 10th, 2024
Winona: October 13th, 2024
Albert Lea: October 4th, 2024