U.S. Winter Outlook: NOAA forecasters predict cooler, wetter North and warmer, drier South

19 October 2017

Forecasters at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center released the U.S. Winter Outlook today, with La Nina potentially emerging for the second year in a row as the biggest wildcard in how winter this year will shape up. La Nina has a 55 to 65 percent chance of developing before winter sets in.

The 2017 U.S. Winter Outlook (December through February):

Precipitation

Winter Precipitaion Outlook

2017-18 Winter Outlook map for precipitation (NOAA)

Temperature

Winter Temperature Outlook

2017-18 Winter Outlook map for temperature (NOAA)

Drought

The NOAA seasonal outlooks give the likelihood that temperature and precipitation will be above-, near, or below-average, and also how drought is expected to change, but do not project seasonal snowfall accumulations. While the last two winters featured above-average temperatures over much of the nation, significant snowstorms still impacted different parts of the country. Snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance because they depend upon the strength and track of winter storms. The U.S. Winter Outlook will be updated on November 16.

NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, News & Features.