2018-2019 Winter Outlook

Lowell to Impact Hawaii; Heat Persists in the South-Central U.S.

Hurricane Lowell is forecast to pass west of Kauai`s coastal waters tonight. Impacts such as high surf and heavy rain could impact all of the islands. Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains and Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley into this week with limited nighttime relief. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible through Tuesday morning in the northern Rockies. Read More >

Bottom Line for the Local Area...

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecast for the upcoming winter months of December-February:

Temperatures: Warmer-than-normal is slightly favored. This is due to a developing weak El Niño.

Precipitation: Drier than normal very slightly favored over the Great Lakes. It should be noted, however, while there is a tendency toward dry during weak El Niños, there has also been a wet trend over the past 15 winters in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

The temperature and precipitation outlook images are below:

Winter Temperature Outlook

Winter Precipitation Outlook

Here is a link to the Official Winter Outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Climate Prediction Center: