The upcoming winter season is set to be marked by strong El Niño conditions, which typically bring wetter-than-average weather to the West Coast and could deliver significant snowfall to parts of California’s Sierra Nevada. El Niño conditions are expected to steer the jet stream farther south than usual by the New Year, resulting in waves of moisture arriving on the West Coast for long stretches of time. These so-called Pineapple Expresses can bring storm systems and heavy precipitation to California’s mountains, particularly in the southern tier of the state, but there have been years when winter storms just don’t take off, despite a strong El Niño pattern.

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