Will El Niño bring a ‘Godzilla’ ski season?

The intensifying El Niño climate phenomenon is raising hopes for a record-breaking ski season in the western US, with resorts like Purgatory in Colorado urging visitors to buy lift passes early for a "potentially historic season." Ski Utah is even distributing lawn signs that read "Vote Super El Niño 2026-27. The Greatest Snow on Earth." However, meteorologists warn that while a "super" or "Godzilla El Niño" is likely—already breaking records with sea-surface temperatures over 3C above average—snowfall is not guaranteed. Professor Liz Stephens of the University of Reading explains that while precipitation may increase in states like California, Utah, and Colorado, warmer temperatures could mean more rain than snow, especially at lower altitudes.

The best bets for heavy snow include Mammoth Mountain, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Wolf Creek, and Taos. In contrast, Canada and Japan are expected to see milder, drier winters, with weaker Siberian winds reducing snowfall in Hokkaido.

Title: 厄尔尼诺会创造一个“哥斯拉”滑雪季吗？

Content: 不断强化的厄尔尼诺气候现象正在提升人们对西部美国创纪录滑雪季的期望，科罗拉多的普格蒂里（Purgatory）等滑雪场敦促游客提前购买升降机票，以迎接“可能具有历史意义的赛季”。Ski Utah 甚至分发着印有“投票支持超级厄尔尼诺 2026-27 年。地球上最好的雪”的草坪标志。然而，气象学家警告说，虽然“超级”或“哥斯拉厄尔尼诺”很可能出现——已经以海表温度超过 3°C 高于平均值的速度破纪录——但降雪并不保证。阅读大学教授 Liz Stephens 解释说，虽然加利福尼亚、犹他州和科罗拉多州的降水量可能会增加，但温暖的气温可能意味着更多降雨而不是降雪，尤其是在低海拔地区。最佳重雪地点包括大象山、天堂、山吉尔伍德、狼溪和陶斯。相比之下，加拿大和日本预计将经历较为温和、干燥的冬季，较弱的西伯利亚风将减少北海道的降雪量。