Snowbirds face a U.S. winter marked by La Niña’s thumbprint

Florida: Every winter, Florida becomes a go-to spot for Canadians looking to escape the chill. But sometimes, the cold weather follows them down south.

This year, though, it looks like snowbirds are in for a treat. They can expect a mostly warm and pleasant winter as they head to the U.S.

Last winter was a different story, with El Niño bringing heavy rains and storms to many areas. Some parts of Florida saw way more rain than usual, which was a bummer for those trying to enjoy the sun.

Now, even though we’re not officially in a La Niña pattern yet, the weather is already acting like it. La Niña means cooler ocean waters in the Pacific, and it can really shake up winter weather across North America.

This winter, the jet stream is expected to shift north, which usually means warmer and drier conditions for the southern U.S. So, places from Arizona to the Carolinas might see less rain and snow than normal.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Big winter storms can still pop up, especially along the eastern coast, and they often start in the Gulf of Mexico, bringing thunderstorms to Florida.

So, if you’re in the Sunshine State, make sure you have a plan for severe weather. It’s always good to know where to go and how to get alerts when storms hit.

As for temperatures, most of the southern U.S. is looking at above-average warmth this winter. Florida is likely to be the warmest, with pleasant days even in the middle of winter.

In Phoenix, for example, winter days usually sit in the upper teens, while Miami enjoys highs around 20 degrees. But don’t forget, Florida can still get hit with cold snaps that bring freezing temps down to the Everglades, sometimes even causing iguanas to fall from trees!

So, while this winter looks promising for snowbirds, it’s always smart to stay prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.