Growing up in the Chicago suburbs has prepared us for some of the most extreme weather climates, from a record breaking week long 90 degree weather, to being below freezing for four months straight in 2014. So while we’re approaching in the holiday season and have winter break just around the corner we have to wonder, where’s all the snow?

You may be leaving your winter jackets boxed up this season because according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), we are in for an unfamiliar winter. NOAA explains that this is due to a warm phase across the Pacific coast, which is being referred to as El Nino. Though El Nino is described as the Pacific Ocean waters warming up near the equator, it has been said that the effects can reach thousands of miles in land, which as we have seen, is true.

“It’s going to be unusual to not have all the snow this winter. I’m not going to say I’ll miss it, but it will definitely be strange not having to clean my car off every morning before going to school.” Jonah Toch, Senior, says.

The effects are supposedly not intended to wear off until spring of 2016 but don’t get too yet. “While temperature and precipitation impacts associated with El Niño are favored, El Niño is not the only player,” Mike Halpert, deputy director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said in a statement. “Cold-air outbreaks and snow storms will likely occur at times this winter. However, the frequency, number and intensity of these events cannot be predicted on a seasonal timescale.”

With winter break coming around the corner, this is perfect time for students to get out there and get active while they can! Weather may vary so stay warm ad cozy.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/weather/stories/What-El-Nino-Could-Mean-for-Winter-in-Chicago-330110281.html#ixzz3uIDsQqEC