El Niño to Impact Upcoming Maryland Winter

El Niño likely to bring milder, wetter winter and lessen Maryland drought. 

NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook, shows how El Nino will likely influence the upcoming winter months (December 2026 to February 2027), with warmer-than-average temperatures expected across the northern U.S.; wetter-than-average conditions likely across the southern U.S., from California to Florida, and along the Eastern Seaboard; and drought improving for the majority of the country, including in Maryland.

According to NOAA,

“As we know from decades of observations, a very strong El Nino will likely bring a southward and eastward shift to the jet stream for the contiguous U.S., which tilts the odds toward stormier weather across the South,” said Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “While higher chances of rain and snow may bring relief to drought-afflicted areas, too much precipitation on dry soil can fuel destructive flash floods and mudslides. Now is the time for communities and individuals to plan ahead for the upcoming winter.”

Current data projects Maryland will likely have a somewhat warmer and wetter winter. This will likely mean Maryland will not experience as harsh a winter as it did in early 2026. Data also points to Maryland exiting its drought which will be positive news for counties which operate water infrastructure.

Check out the latest from NOAA.

A U.S. map showing varying degrees of orange to depict what areas will be warmer than average this winter.
The 2026-2027 U.S. Winter Outlook map for temperature shows the greatest chances for warmer-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Midwest, Mississippi Valley, much of the East and Alaska. (Image credit: NOAA)
A U.S. map showing varying degrees of green and brown to depict what areas will be warmer or drier than average this winter.
The 2026-2027 U.S. Winter Outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average conditions are most likely across the Southwest, South and East Coast. Drier-than-average conditions are forecast for parts of the northern Rockies and Great Lakes, and central Alaska. (Image credit: NOAA)
A U.S. map with corresponding colors (green, dark green, tan, brown and yellow) to show areas where drought will improve or worsen this winter.
A U.S. map with corresponding colors (green, dark green, tan, brown and yellow) to show areas where drought will improve or worsen this winter. The U.S. Drought Outlook map for October 15, 2026, through January 2027, predicts drought conditions to improve or end by the end of January for the Southwest, Southern Great Plains, Southeast and East Coast. Drought conditions are favored to develop or worsen across parts of the northern Rockies. (Image credit: NOAA)