October is here and it’s time to look ahead at the winter. I’ve been forecasting for 35 years, and this year we’ve got a Super El Niño. That usually brings a milder winter to the region, but it could be dry or it could be a soaker — tough call. Long periods of cold and snow are unlikely, though we could still see a snow or ice storm, most likely by mid‑January. Expect a bit more east wind than usual in the east metro and the Gorge. The big rain will probably head south into California, so widespread flooding here is unlikely. I’m leaning toward a wetter winter, but keep an eye out for a brief icy blast.
