Looks like a weak El Nino is forecast this upcoming winter.
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2018/09/winter-forecast-for-northwest.html
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2018/09/winter-forecast-for-northwest.html
Most past weak el ninos have been fine. The strong el ninos are the ones that affect NW winters the most. Weak el ninos bring slightly warmer and drier weather, or just average weather. One exception is 2014-2015.....that one was one of the worst winters ever, but it was an anomaly, I think.