NOAA releases winter forecast: Warmer South, wetter North

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

Climate experts predict the U.S. will slowly transition into a La Niña pattern that could bring wetter-than-average conditions for the North and drier-than-average conditions for the South.

La Nina is part of a natural climate cycle that can cause extreme weather across the planet — and its effects vary from place to place.

The prediction for December 2024 through February 2025 contains information on likely conditions throughout the country for temperature, precipitation and drought.

“This winter, an emerging La Nina is anticipated to influence the upcoming winter patterns, especially our precipitation predictions,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center.

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

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

Meanwhile, drier-than-normal conditions could hit 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 to see below-average rainfall.

As for temperatures, the NOAA predicts they will be warmer than average for much of the southern U.S.

This warmth is anticipated along the Gulf Coast — in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama — and stretching up the Eastern Seaboard through Georgia, the Carolinas and as far north as New England. Warmer-than-normal temperatures are also likely in parts of the Great Lakes region and Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, cooler-than-average temperatures are expected for the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains. Washington, Oregon, Montana and North Dakota may see below-average temperatures, along with some areas in western Alaska.

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

NewsNation’s Max Tsaparis emphasized that the NOAA’s prediction is an indicator of overall trends. Tsaparis says that since the climate cycle is entirely different this year, we shouldn’t compare this upcoming winter to last winter.

NewsNation’s affiliate “The Hill” contributed to this report.

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