home of the Pure Awesomeness Factor Better Data, Better Skiing

Antelope Butte and El Niño

Less snow

El Niño winters bring Antelope Butte about 8% less snow than a typical winter.

Based on 14 El Niño winters since 1986: 4 of them beat Antelope Butte's median snowfall. That's a clear, consistent pattern, not just noise. Ranks #102 of 152 Western resorts for El Niño snowfall.

El Niño winters (14) −8% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.4°C (0.6°F) warmer
Strong El Niño (4) −8% snowfall vs. a typical winter
La Niña winters (14) +2% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.3°C (0.6°F) colder

Checked against a real snow station: at the Bone Springs Div SNOTEL station, measured precipitation in El Niño winters ran −8% vs. its average (48 winters of measurements).

Every winter since 1986

Snowfall each winter compared with Antelope Butte's 40-winter average, colored by what the Pacific was doing.

El Niño La Niña Neutral

Mid-mountain, November–April. Any single winter can buck the pattern; that's why we look at averages.

Right now NOAA's latest Oceanic Niño Index reading (Jun–Aug 2026) is +1.8°C: strong El Niño conditions. NOAA's outlook says how long it's expected to last.
El Niño speaks Hear what's in store from El Niño himself.

← All resorts: El Niño map & rankings Antelope Butte climate change profile →