The Climate Prediction Center issued its updated forecast for February. It is calling for above average temperatures across the Southern U.S. with below normal precipitation. Cooler than normal temperatures are likely in the High Plains, with wetter than average conditions across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
February forecast to be warmer than normal for South, much of AK; colder than normal for parts of Northern Plains. https://t.co/ZojpnS5Ja5 pic.twitter.com/CtqHNbxaZL
— NWSCPC (@NWSCPC) January 19, 2017
The La Nina that developed earlier in the Winter has been fading and is expected to dissipate. There may be some leftover affects from the La Nina, but its influence is expected to be slight. La Nina occurs when the waters of the Pacific Ocean show a general trend of cooling, the opposite of an El Nino. During La Nina periods, the Jet Stream is less active in the Southern U.S. This usually leads to less storms systems and below average precipitation. Cooler than normal weather typically occurs across the northern tier of the country and occasionally wetter periods as well.
The Climate Prediction Center says that the tropical areas near the Equator have been very active with lots of showers and thunderstorms. This may have a slight influence on the forecast trends, with below average rain in the South.
The February forecast will be updated again at the end of January.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels