NOAA's 2024-25 winter forecast is here. Will drought end? Maps show what to expect in Ohio

Ohio's winter could be milder this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its Climate Prediction Center released its winter outlook report for January, February, and March of 2025.

The annual U.S. winter outlook report from the Climate Prediction Center predicts that La Niña conditions are strongly expected throughout the country. The U.S. has a 74% chance of La Niña conditions, while there is a 40% chance of this being a moderate event.

La Niña events are the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, according to the National Weather Service . This period usually happens every 3 to 5 years but can also pop up on occasion. Last year , the U.S. dealt with El Niño conditions, which are the opposite of La Niña, meaning the ocean warms to above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

During La Niña events, the northern part of the United States typically sees colder and stormier winter conditions, while it is warmer and less stormy across the south.

What's the NOAA forecast for Ohio this fall?

In Western Ohio, including near the Cincinnati metro and Tri-State area, there is a 33–40% chance temperatures will be warmer than usual, according to the report.

The remainder of the state, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Akron toward the east and southern parts of Ohio, also leans above with even warmer expected temperatures, with predictions of 40-50% above average.

As for precipitation, Ohio is forecast to experience above-normal precipitation. Areas toward the west, including Cincinnati and Dayton, could see higher chances of precipitation at 50–60% above average. The northern, eastern and southern parts of the Buckeye State could have a 40–50% greater chance of precipitation this winter.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NOAA's 2024-25 winter forecast is here. Will drought end? Maps show what to expect in Ohio