TALLAHASSEE (WTXL) - Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center issued the U.S Winter outlook yesterday, which calls for cooler and wetter weather in the Southern states. That’s due to this being a very strong El Nino year, the Arctic Oscillation and the Madden-Julian Oscillation which all affect the amount of rain and cold air outbreaks that occur. This winter outlook lasts from December through February. This outlook doesn’t project snowfall because snow storms are not predictable more than a week in advance.
The wetter than average conditions are expected for the Southern parts of the United State and up the East Coast. The drier than average conditions are expected for Hawaii, Alaska, parts of the Pacific Northwest, and areas near the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. The drier than average conditions are not expected to help the persisting drought that is occurring in many of these regions. Although California is expected to be wetter than average the drought will not be removed entirely only help improve it. The wetter than average conditions will also help improve and possibly remove the drought in northern Florida and southern Georgia since there is roughly a 9 inch deficit.
Above average temperatures are expected across most of the West and the northern half of the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Below average temperatures are expected to be in the Southeast.
