2018-2019 Winter Outlook

Severe Thunderstorms in the Northern Plains; Heavy Rainfall in the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys; Critical Fire Weather in the Southwest

Severe thunderstorms, with a significant wind threat, will continue through tonight across the northern Plains. Wind gusts of 60 to 100 mph are possible. Heavy rainfall will continue through tonight from Oklahoma into Missouri, and in the Tennessee Valley through Monday. Critical fire weather conditions continue in the Southwest through Tuesday. 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: