10/20/2011 10:24:00 AM
by Dave Tragethon
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its winter outlook for the months of December, January and February.
Although La Nina faded away this past summer, it is making a comeback and will play a role in the weather patterns across the country this winter.
Story:
La Nina - Back to Back |
The La Nina SignaturePrecipitation Outlook: December - February
La Nina's influence on this winter outlook can be seen on the map above. Blog archive:
Oh No! La Nina is Coming! Wetter-than-average conditions are forecast from the Pacific
Northwest into the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains. The Pacific
Northwest is one portion of the country that typically sees
above-average precipitation during La Nina winters.
Temperature Outlook: December - February
The combination of below-average temperatures and above-average
precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and western Montana could result
in increased mountain snow.
Temperatures are forecast to stay below average from the Great Lakes westward to the Dakotas, Northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest and the coast of California.
La Nina isn't the only climate factor expected to play a role in
the weather this winter. NOAA cites the lesser known and less
predictable Arctic Oscillation as a 'wild card' influence that could
result in large short-term swings in temperatures this winter. According
to Mike Halpert of NOAA, "The erratic Arctic Oscillation can generate
strong shifts in the climate patterns that could overwhelm or amplify La
Nina’s typical impacts.”
Read the entire article at The Weather Channel.