The strong El Niño forecast for Alaska this winter could be good news for ski resort lovers.
Eric Fullerton with Alyeska Resort says during this off-season, staff worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, researching how that weather system affected Girdwood in the past.
Fullerton: In previous seasons where we’ve had strong El Nino winters, 82-83 was kind of the first one on record, then 91-92, 94-95, and 97-98, we’ve had above average snow falls. Our average snow fall is 650 inches, in 91-92 we had 694, in 94-95 we had 896 inches and in 97-98 we had 902.”
NOAA has forecast this winter as a ‘Strong El Niño’, bringing warmer than average temperatures to Alaska.
Climate Prediction Center Deputy Director Mike Halpert of NOAA says El Niño is not the only player, cold-air outbreaks and snow storms will likely occur however seasonal precipitation is harder to predict.
Alyeska’s Fullerton says because of Girdwood’s rain forest classification and based on the weather patterns so far this year, the resort staff is optimistic for a season filled with snow.
