What if this winter’s forecast holds true?

Do you know what meteorologists use to trim their hair? An Alberta clipper. Joking aside, have you heard this winter s forecast? If it holds true, our yards and landscapes are bound to be affected, especially perennial gardens. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the 2026-2027 winter forecast for the northern United States, driven largely by a strong to very strong El Nino pattern, points toward warmer-than-average temperatures and lower-than-average snowfall. NOAA indicates on their website a high, 83% probability, that this El Nino event will be historic, or at least the strongest since 1950, and is being called a super El Nino. A warm winter and little snow sounds like a winter dream-come-true for those who don t prefer shoveling snow in the bitter cold, but our plants might not be as thrilled. If a historic winter weather event does materialize, it s difficult to predict its effects on our outdoor plants. If by historic we mean