The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its US Winter Outlook for the winter of 2024-25, forecasting a slowly-developing and weak La Niña system. The agency predicts wetter-than-average conditions in northern tier states and potentially drier-than-average conditions in the southwest. Colorado is expected to see more precipitation in La Niña years, with the possibility of drier conditions existing in northern parts of the state. This could lead to a higher risk of drought as the winter progresses.
The precipitation outlook indicates wetter conditions in the Great Lakes region, while drier conditions are expected along the U.S. Gulf Coast and parts of the Southwest. The temperature outlook forecasts warmer-than-average temperatures for the southern tier of the U.S., including the eastern Great Lakes and New England regions. Cooler temperatures are more likely in southern Alaska and the northern Great Plains.
Regarding the drought outlook, improvement is expected in the Ohio River Valley and the northern Rockies, while drought may persist in parts of the Great Plains and the Midwest. Drought development is expected in the Four Corners region and the western Gulf Coast. In conclusion, the winter of 2024-25 is shaping up to be influenced by La Niña, with implications for precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions across the United States.
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