January 2019 Outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center

news image
Special Stories
21 Dec 2018 3:09 PM
On Thursday, the Climate Prediction Center issued their 30 day forecast for January. Warmer than normal temperatures are expected across most of the West, with below average readings in the Southeast. The South is expected to see wetter than normal weather, with below average precipitation in the Northwest and Ohio Valley. https://twitter.com/NWSCPC/status/1075749752531230721 The main forecast influences were global pattern trends and long range model forecasts. An extensively discussed El Nino is underway in the Pacific Ocean, but the atmosphere has yet to respond. Observed sea surface temperatures in the Pacific are warmer than normal as expected, with computer models expecting this to continue. Right now, the overall global pattern resembles neutral conditions. Based on the latest observations and model forecasts, the CPC still indicates a greater than 80 percent chance for El Nino from January to March and 70 percent that it persists through May. [November 2018 sea surface temperature departure from the 1981-2010 average. Graphic by NOAA Climate; data from NOAA’s Environmental Visualization Lab.] For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels  
All Weather News
More
Severe Chances Return for the Midwest The Next Few Days

Severe Chances Return for the Midwest The Next Few Days

The upcoming stretch of hot temperatures will

25 Jul 2026 2:00 AM
Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Has Formed and Could Become a Major Hurricane

Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Has Formed and Could Become a Major Hurricane

Atlantic BasinBertha has dissipated after mov

25 Jul 2026 1:50 AM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 1:50 AM
Weekend Heat For the Western and Central United States

Weekend Heat For the Western and Central United States

Are you over the summer heat yet? Well, more

25 Jul 2026 1:40 AM
Hot & Smoky w/ a Chance of Lightning

Hot & Smoky w/ a Chance of Lightning

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

24 Jul 2026 11:15 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper-level low train continues to keep t

21 Jul 2026 1:45 AM