Lutsen Mountains and El Niño

Less snow

El Niño winters bring Lutsen Mountains about 12% less snow than a typical winter.

Based on 14 El Niño winters since 1986: 4 of them beat Lutsen Mountains's median snowfall. That's a fairly consistent pattern. Ranks #62 of 68 Eastern & Midwestern resorts for El Niño snowfall.

El Niño winters (14) −12% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.6°C (1.2°F) warmer 11 days fewer of natural ski season

Strong El Niño (4) −3% snowfall vs. a typical winter

La Niña winters (14) +8% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.2°C (0.3°F) colder

Every winter since 1986

Snowfall each winter compared with Lutsen Mountains's 40-winter average, colored by what the Pacific was doing.

El Niño La Niña Neutral

Mid-mountain, November–April. Any single winter can buck the pattern; that's why we look at averages.

Right now NOAA's latest Oceanic Niño Index reading (Jun–Aug 2026) is +1.8°C: strong El Niño conditions. NOAA's outlook says how long it's expected to last.

El Niño speaks Hear what's in store from El Niño himself.

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