NOAA Winter Outlook: Warmer, Wetter Season Ahead
El Niño could steer more storm systems toward the Carolinas between December and February, NOAA's seasonal outlook says.
By Elizabeth Turner ·
NOAA issued its winter seasonal outlook on Oct. 29, projecting above-average temperatures and above-average precipitation across the Carolinas from December through February. The agency attributes the pattern to El Niño conditions developing in the central and eastern Pacific.
El Niño forms when ocean temperatures in those regions rise above normal. The agency said the shift can influence weather thousands of miles away. During winter months, NOAA said, El Niño often strengthens the jet stream across the southern United States, steering more storm systems toward the region.
For the Charlotte metro area and surrounding communities, NOAA's outlook points to more rain chances between December and February. The agency also favors above-seasonal temperatures across much of the eastern United States, including the Carolinas. Additional rainfall could ease drought conditions that have developed across portions of the Southeast.
A warmer seasonal outlook does not rule out snow. NOAA said a single storm paired with a supply of cold air can still bring winter weather to the region, though seasonal outlooks describe general patterns rather than storm counts. NOAA's outlook covers the bigger picture for the season.
Source: WCCB
