January 2021 Outlook - Another Warm Month Expected

The first outlook is in for 2021 from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, and the influence of La Nina is definitely being felt. Like previous months, January is expected to be warmer than normal in most of the nation - from the East Coast through the Plains into the Southwest. Only the Pacific Northwest is forecast for below average temperatures. In the precipitation outlook, the southern tier of the nation is favored to see drier than normal conditions. Above normal precipitation is forecast for the Northwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley. https://twitter.com/NWSCPC/status/1339572238295605250 La Nina conditions are present in the Pacific and further strengthening is expected. Those observations are the driving force behind the trends for the January 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.  Model forecasts, recent pattern observations and coastal sea surface temperatures were also used to determine the upcoming 30 day forecast.