December Outlook Highlights Warmth Across Most of the Nation

The end of 2020 is expected to be mild across much of the nation. That's according to the Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) December outlook, which was issued Thursday. Above average temperatures are in the forecast across the eastern and southern half of the nation. Only the Pacific Northwest has odds leaning towards a cooler than normal month. https://twitter.com/NWSCPC/status/1329425310052278272 In the precipitation outlook, drier than normal weather is expected from the Southwest across the southern Plains and into the Southeast. Above average precipitation is forecast for the Northeast and Northwest. La Nina conditions are present in the Pacific and further strengthening is expected. Those observations are the driving force behind the trends for the December outlook. The CPC states that La Nina conditions are being observed in the Pacific Ocean and are expected into early next year. La Nina was discussed earlier this month by the CPC with an La Nina Advisory continuing. The trends of an El Nino or La Nina often take time to establish, so its effects will be seen gradually through the end of 2020. Model forecasts, recent pattern observations and coastal sea surface temperatures were also used to determine the upcoming 30 day forecast.