El Niño Threatens U.S. Power Grid

A strengthening El Niño is poised to increase the likelihood of weather-related power disruptions across the United States this winter. Meteorologists indicate that the pattern may bring storms with strong winds, heavy rain, snow, and ice, potentially impacting power supplies in vulnerable areas.

The Southeast and Northwest are highlighted as regions facing the greatest risk of such disruptions. El Niño's influence on the subtropical jet stream could steer more frequent storms toward the California coast, and also increase the threat of coastal storms developing into powerful nor'easters along the East Coast.

AccuWeather experts predict that storm tracks may shift, increasing power outage risks in California, Nevada, and the Four Corners region from late December through winter. Isolated outages are also possible in the central Plains due to snow and ice. Tornadoes, common in strong El Niños, could cause significant, though localized, power disruptions in the Southeast, particularly Florida.

Federal forecasters anticipate El Niño will continue to strengthen through 2026, with a high probability of it becoming a historic event, potentially exceeding the strength of previous occurrences dating back to 1950. This sustained strength suggests a prolonged period of potential weather-related impacts on infrastructure.