2018-2019 Winter Outlook

Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall from the Midwest to the Ohio Valley; Mid-Summer Heat Continues

Severe thunderstorm and heavy rainfall threats will persist from the Midwest to Lower Great Lakes through Monday, shifting into the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians Monday evening into Tuesday. Mid-summer heat will continue across much of the CONUS this week, with record highs possible well into the 100s across the south-central High Plains. 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: