local
El Niño has officially arrived in Colorado, and stronger moisture could be next
By Andrea Teres-Martinez Follow
ateres-martinez@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times
· June 21, 2026
· 5 min read
El Niño has officially arrived, bringing what could be one of the strongest El Nino summers the Northern Hemisphere has seen in decades.
El Niño conditions — characterized by above-average sea surface temperatures across the central to eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean — have been developing o...
Key takeaway National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on June 11.
Why this matters in Aspen News
As El Niño takes hold, Aspen residents can expect a potentially significant impact on the local snowpack, although the effects may be less predictable than in other parts of the country. While El Niño typically brings above-average snow to coastal regions, its influence on interior ski areas like Aspen is more nuanced. Still, a strong or super El Niño event could lead to increased moisture in the region, potentially resulting in a heavier-than-average snowfall season. This would be welcome news for the local ski industry, which relies on a robust snowpack to attract visitors and support the local economy. However, it's also important to consider the potential risks associated with heavy snowfall, including increased avalanche danger in the backcountry and heightened flood risk along the Roaring Fork River during spring runoff. As the situation unfolds, Aspen's city government and emergency management officials will likely be closely monitoring the situation to prepare for any potential impacts.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? El Niño has officially arrived, bringing what could be one of the strongest El Nino summers the Northern Hemisphere has seen in decades.
El Niño conditions — characterized by above-average sea surface temperatures across the central to eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean — have been developing o...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrea Teres-Martinez Follow
ateres-martinez@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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