Last week, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center issued their outlook covering February, March, and April. Warmer than normal temperature are forecast from the Eastern Seaboard through the Mississippi Valley and into the Southwest. Winter’s grip may hold on a little longer in the Upper Midwest with colder than average weather predicted.
In the precipitation outlook, wetter than average weather is expected from the Northwest to the Great Lakes and Tennessee Valley. Drier than normal conditions are forecast for the Southwest. This will likely lead to drought conditions persisting and possibly further development from the Four Corners to California and Oregon.
Development of #drought is forecast across portions of Northern California, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada through April. Improving conditions are forecast across parts of Texas and Oklahoma. https://t.co/Tp4IHSv4Of pic.twitter.com/qPisQ8g8OS
— NWSCPC (@NWSCPC) January 16, 2020
The CPC noted that the forecast were based on model guidance and statistical tools. Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are near normal, and that is expected to continue. Therefore, El Nino or La Nina will not be in a factor over the coming months.