It's still September, and the forecast actually looks hot for several days, but winter is eventually coming, and there's something different this season. For the first time in a few years, El Niño is back.

This year’s El Niño is expected to be strong this winter and last at least into early next spring, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

When it comes to forecasting the winter, there is a trick up the sleeves of meteorologists to help figure out how the season may evolve overall.