How El Nino will impact travel in the coming year

El Nino has officially arrived, and this one is a doozy.What does that mean for travelers? This powerful natural phenomenon could make some destinations more enjoyable this year — while you may want to reconsider visiting others. It also increases the risk of severe weather events and travel disruptions.The good news is: you can prepare yourself. Read on to learn exactly what El Nino means for various destinations and how to plan your trip accordingly.Related: Travel mistakes that can ruin your next tripWhat is El Nino?El Nino can cause unexpected weather shifts, like snowfall in New Orleans. MICHAEL DEMOCKER/GETTY IMAGESEl Nino is a natural climate pattern that occurs roughly every two to seven years. In general, El Nino forms in the northern hemisphere's summer months and lasts through the following spring, with its effects peaking in winter. The most recent El Ninos occurred in 2023-2024 and 2018-2019.El Nino weakens, or even reverses, the trade winds that typically blow east to west across the Pacific Ocean, pushing warm water east toward the Americas. The changing water temperature affects the Pacific jet stream, a powerful wind channel that flows from west to east across Nort...