One of the Coldest Winter Seasons Expected This Year as La Nina Returns

Weather forecasters are warning that the winter of 2025-26 could be among the coldest in decades.

The warning follows signs that La Niña, a climate pattern known for lowering sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, may return this year.

Corresponding alterations in air circulation and jet stream behavior associated with La Niña tend to bring colder winters, featuring longer frost spells and heavier snowfall.

Several climate agencies—including the United States’ Climate Prediction Center—have raised La Niña alerts as ocean warming patterns show cooling in parts of the Pacific.

If La Niña develops as expected, many countries may see cold waves grip the area, earlier and more frequent frost, and possibly snow at higher elevations.

Meteorologists have emphasized that even a weak La Niña event can cause a significant drop in temperatures.