NOAA releases winter forecast: Warmer south, wetter north

(NewsNation) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its forecasts for the winter of 2024-25.

Climate experts expect the U.S. to slowly transition into a La Niña pattern, which could lead to wetter-than-average conditions in the north and drier-than-average conditions in the south.

La Nina is part of a natural climate cycle that can cause extreme weather events around the world – and the effects vary from place to place.

Flight attendants in crisis: stripping, fighting, homeless

The forecast for December 2024 to February 2025 provides information on likely conditions across the country in terms of temperature, precipitation and drought.

“A developing La Nina this winter is expected to impact upcoming winter patterns, particularly our precipitation forecasts,” said Jon Gottschalck, head of the Climate Prediction Center’s Operational Prediction Branch.

The Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions are more likely to see above-average precipitation this season, meaning Michigan, Ohio and Indiana could see increased rain and snow.

Washington, Oregon and northern Idaho could also experience a wet winter.

Meanwhile, drier than normal conditions could prevail across the South and Southwest – including parts of Florida, Georgia, Arizona and New Mexico. The Southern Plains (Texas, Oklahoma, and a small portion of southwestern Kansas) may also experience below average precipitation.

As for temperatures, NOAA predicts they will be warmer than average for much of the southern United States

This warmth is expected along the Gulf Coast – in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – and extends along the East Coast through Georgia, the Carolinas and as far north as New England. Warmer than normal temperatures are also expected in parts of the Great Lakes region and Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, cooler than average temperatures are expected for the Pacific Northwest and the northern plains. Washington, Oregon, Montana and North Dakota, as well as some areas of western Alaska, may experience below average temperatures.

Armed group confronts FEMA workers in Carter County, Tennessee

For regions experiencing drought conditions, the outlook offers some good and bad news. Drought relief is expected in parts of Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

NewsNation's Max Tsaparis emphasized that NOAA's forecast is an indicator of general trends. Tsaparis says we shouldn't compare the coming winter to last winter because the climate cycle is completely different this year.

NewsNation affiliate The Hill contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Find the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos on NewsNation.