Critical Issues: NOAA restarts La Nina Watch, releases 2016-2017 U.S. Winter Outlook

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NOAA U.S. Winter Outlook Temperature Map
On October 20, 2016, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its U.S. Winter Outlook, and the updated La Niña forecast took center stage. Mike Halpert, Deputy Director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), and David Miskus, also of CPC, briefed reporters and answered questions on NOAA’s winter forecast. Click “Read More” to see the highlights.
  As of October 13, NOAA anticipates a weak La Niña this winter. Although La Niña forecasts do not give definitive information about snowfall in the U.S., according to NOAA, "La Niña winters tend to favor above average snowfall around the Great Lakes and in the northern Rockies and below average snowfall in the mid-Atlantic." This latest news is an update to NOAA’s September forecast, with La Niña conditions now being favored based on recent trends in ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions.
  In areas currently experiencing drought, including much of California and the Southwest, drought conditions are likely to persist, and in the Southeast, drought is likely to expand. However, some regions—such as the northern Rockies, northern Plains, and parts of the Ohio Valley—can anticipate some relief.
 
For more information, read the NOAA press release and watch the Winter Outlook video. Audio from the October 20 press call is available here.
 

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