May Forecast Issued from Climate Prediction Center

On Thursday, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issued it forecast for May with the backdrop of a diminishing La Nina and prolonged stretch of colder than average temperatures across much of the country. Climatology trends favor warming across the southern and eastern sections of the nation and this is found in the forecast for next month. The atmosphere continues to lean towards below average temperatures in the Northern and High Plains, which is also favored in the May CPC forecast. According to the CPC, the precipitation forecast was constructed in a similar fashion. Drier than average conditions are favored over much of the West. Atmospheric signals lean toward above average precipitation in the East. https://twitter.com/NWSCPC/status/986948172265197569 The Climate Prediction Center noted that a La Nina advisory is still in effect, but forecast model trends continue to show that Pacific Ocean water temperatures will return to normal over the 6 weeks. Neutral ocean temperatures are expected into the summer months, with no El Nino or La Nina. Along with the La Nina forecast and current atmospheric trends, long range model forecasts, current soil moisture conditions and snow coverage was considered. For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels