Much of the country is forecast to see warmer than average temperatures in the latest 90 day forecast issued from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC). The outlook, which covers October to December, also has the South and East seeing above average precipitation. The Northwest is expected to see drier than normal weather.
Much of the country is forecast to see increased chances of above-normal temperatures for October through December, with increased odds for wet conditions across much of the South and East coast. https://t.co/dfWJFLTXzj pic.twitter.com/C5A3stbQhD
— NWSCPC (@NWSCPC) September 20, 2018
The drought expanded and intensified across the Pacific Northwest and northern Plains during the past month, and those conditions are expected to continue through December. Heavy to excessive rainfall resulted in major drought reduction throughout the middle to lower Mississippi Valley and the southern half of the Great Plains, where continued improvement is in the forecast.
Long-term #drought is likely to persist throughout much of the western U.S. through the end of the year. However, improvement and removal of drought appear likely for portions of the Central and Southern Plains. https://t.co/CPY78JXHKa pic.twitter.com/k6gdLulh3n
— NWSCPC (@NWSCPC) September 20, 2018
The CPC is expecting an El Nino to form in the coming months. That is the main factor leading to above average temperature forecast, along with wetter weather in the South. Warmer water temperatures are already being observed in the Central Pacific, but the warming is not widespread or significant. The El Nino is now expected to be a weaker event, which can have implications on the positioning of the subtropical and polar Jet Streams. This can lead to other weather patterns influencing climate trends, with a diminished El Nino effect. 
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels