National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rains in the Southern Plains, Northwest, and Upper Midwest

Heavy to severe thunderstorms may bring areas of excessive rainfall and flooding over parts of the southern Plains through Friday. There is an increased risk of flash flooding in east Texas today. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are also possible across parts of the upper Midwest and northwestern states. Read More >

A La Niña Watch has been issued by the Climate Prediction Center. There is a 50-55% chance of La Niña conditions developing this fall and continuing through the winter.

Learn more about:

Below is a map of the typical effect La Niña has on the November-March temperatures in the United States. The yellow and orange colors indicate areas where temperatures often average warmer than normal during a La Niña winter:

La Nina temperature anomalies

 

 

Here is a map showing the typical effect La Niña has on November-March precipitation. The blue and green colors in the Ohio Valley indicate a tendency toward wetter than normal conditions:

La Nina precipitation anomalies

 

It is important to remember:

  • The influence of La Niña on the Ohio Valley is not very strong
  • Every La Niña is different, and not all La Niña winters behave the same way
  • The strength of the La Niña may make a difference in how it affects our weather both in terms of precipitation and temperature  (so far, this La Niña is expected to be weak)
  • There are myriad factors that work together to result in the weather we experience -- La Niña is just one of them