This winter season, the North can expect a wet season and a warm, dry season in the South
By Addison Brewer-Hay
A slowly developing La Niña is expected to leave the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes fighting against a drought. The weather phenomenon La Niña occurs near the equator in the Pacific Ocean and often impacts the ocean’s temperature, rainfall levels and overall weather patterns.
In a recent winter outlook released by the Climate Prediction Center on October 17th, the northern tier of the United States can expect a wetter winter while drier-than-average conditions hit the four corners region of the Southwest to Southeast.
According to the NOAA’s assistant secretary of commerce for observation and prediction, Michael Morgan, as climate patterns become more unpredictable technology developments are even more crucial. “In September, we announced a $100 million investment into NOAA’s high-performance computer system to advance research on weather, climate and ocean predictions”, Morgan emphasized, “understanding our climate system is essential for making longer-term predictions like the Winter Seasonal Outlook, which provides vital information for many of our partners and the public.”
As updating the public on shifting climate changes remains a key area of focus for NOAA, La Niña’s conditions are expected to further develop between December 2024 and February 2025. Due to the widespread drought concerns, NOAA’s technology enables citizens to practice water conservation prior to the season’s impacts.
While southern Alaska can expect below average temperatures, the southern tier of the U.S. to the eastern Great Lakes, eastern seaboard, New England and northern Alaska will experience warmer-than-average temperatures this winter. Furthermore, as the greatest likelihood for drier-than-average conditions are in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lake states can prepare for higher precipitation.
On The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website, individuals are able to view detailed infographics regarding La Niña’s impact on temperature and weather conditions as La Niña approaches.