NOAA's Updated Winter '24/'25 Outlook Is Promising

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes new Three Month Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks on a monthly basis.

Check out the August 15, 2024 update of NOAA's Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks for January, February, and March of 2025 below.

NOAA's Outlooks show the likelihood for above or below normal temperatures and precipitation to occur. With this in mind, it's important to note that NOAA's predictions aren't etched in stone. Models are likely to change before Winter '24/'25 actually arrives.

Those who have been following along with NOAA's Seasonal Outlooks might notice that the July and August 2024 updates for the Winter '24/'25 period are fairly similar. This likely due to NOAA's continued confidence in a weak or mild La Niña pattern forming this Fall or in the early-winter.

In keeping with a typical La Niña pattern , NOAA is predicting an increased chance in above average precipitation and below average temperatures for the Pacific Northwest. The reverse can be said for the Southwest, again, a typical pattern experience when La Niña is in effect.

The biggest region of concern, for skiers anyways, is New England. While an increased chance of above average precipitation sounds like a positive, mixing it with an increase chance of above temperatures doesn't sound pleasant. The New England ski industry is no stranger to rain, but let's hope NOAA's predictions don't pan out.

The Wildcard region, so to say, continues to be the central and northern Rockies. NOAA isn't as confident in deviations from normal. It's a bit up in the air at the moment, but something tells me our friends in Utah aren't worrying. They rack up 400+ inches of snow without even breaking a sweat. They'll be just fine.

We're at the time of year where ski resorts are regularly announcing that they're 100 days from opening, and the excitement is building. Can you feel it? Winter is coming!

Related: What is La Niña?

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.

Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV , and subscribe to our YouTube channel .